PTA Issues Clarification Over Removal of PTA Taxes on Phones

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan introduced various taxes and duties on the import and registration of mobile phones and now speculation is rife about the abolition of PTA taxes in the country.

As per the media reports, The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has shared an update on the abolition of federal board of revenue (FBR) taxes on mobile phones, the Telecom Authority says that no formal decision has been taken by the government to abolish the tax on imported mobile phones in Pakistan.

The PTA further said that returning Pakistanis will be exempted from these taxes and non-PTA mobile users can register by restarting their devices through SIM cards.

Last year, the government of Pakistan extended a facility allowing overseas Pakistanis to register their handsets tax-free through the temporary registration system for 120 days during each visit.

The PTA emphasized that a temporary facility is the only current measure, and that the FBR’s broader abolition of taxes on handset registration has not been implemented. He also clarified that his role is to verify the technical standards of mobile devices for registration through DIRBS after payment of FBR tax.

The responsibility of levying and collecting these taxes rests with the tax collecting authority. Any update or change regarding mobile device tax should be confirmed directly from FBR.

People are advised to follow information from proper channels and avoid sharing details without cross-checking the facts.