ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is actively considering a major relief measure for overseas Pakistanis by reducing taxes on used mobile phones brought into the country. The development was confirmed by FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance held in Islamabad on Tuesday. The proposal is aimed at easing the financial burden on expatriates who frequently bring mobile devices for personal use or for family members in Pakistan.
According to Chairman Langrial, the government is also reviewing tax reductions on low-value used smartphones that expatriates commonly carry while traveling. He noted that a comprehensive report outlining recommendations for lowering mobile phone duties is expected to be completed by March 2026. The move signals a broader effort to rationalize mobile phone taxation and address longstanding concerns from overseas Pakistanis.
During the briefing, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman shared detailed insights into the country’s mobile device ecosystem. He revealed that only 6% of mobile phones in Pakistan are imported, while nearly 94% are now manufactured locally. He added that locally assembled phones are subject to a significantly lower tax rate of around 5–6%, reflecting the government’s push to support domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.
Customs Member Shakeel Shah informed the committee that Pakistan collected Rs82 billion in mobile phone taxes this year. Out of this total, Rs18 billion came from taxes imposed on imported smartphones, reflecting the high levies on foreign devices, especially premium models.
During the session, MNA Ali Qasim Gillani strongly advocated for tax relief for expatriates. He suggested that every overseas Pakistani should be allowed to bring in one mobile phone per year without paying any taxes. Gillani highlighted the disproportionate taxes on high-end devices, pointing out that the duties on an iPhone 12 now exceed the price of the handset itself. He argued that expatriates, who send billions of dollars in remittances annually, deserve meaningful tax concessions as a gesture of appreciation.
The committee acknowledged the concerns raised and agreed to further evaluate potential incentives for overseas Pakistanis. Discussions are expected to continue in subsequent meetings as policymakers explore ways to balance tax revenue needs with consumer relief and diaspora support.
