The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance began its meeting with a discussion on taxes imposed on mobile phones brought to Pakistan by overseas Pakistanis.
MNA Ali Qasim Gilani raised the issue of heavy taxation on imported mobile phones, saying the matter affected millions of Pakistanis, not just those living abroad. He said overseas Pakistanis are not allowed to bring even one mobile phone without taxes, and that returning citizens are charged new taxes on phones they already own.
Gilani added that high taxes were pushing people toward grey-market practices, with many users keeping separate PTA and non-PTA phones. He noted that multiple types of taxes on mobile devices were too high and that, unlike other taxes, PTA-related taxes cannot be reclaimed. He pointed out that even a six-year-old iPhone 12 carries a tax of Rs. 75,000.
Committee Chairman Naveed Qamar said taxation matters fall under FBR and that the FBR chairman was not present at the meeting. The PTA Chairman said all taxes are imposed by FBR, and PTA does not levy any taxes. The committee postponed the issue of mobile-phone taxation until the next meeting.
Speaking informally with journalists at Parliament House, the PTA Chairman said decisions regarding taxes on imported mobile phones are made by the government. He said PTA preferred lower taxes and reiterated that all taxation decisions are made by FBR. He added that older imported devices should be taxed less.
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