Big relief on cards for overseas Pakistanis in PTA mobile phones taxes

ISLAMABAD – The federal government is seriously considering a proposal to provide relief to overseas Pakistan in PTA mobile phone taxes. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the Senate during question hour when Chaudhry Abid Sher Ali raised the matter. The minister said overseas Pakistanis had repeatedly urged the government to provide relaxation in PTA taxes on mobile phones during overseas conventions held in Pakistan. The minister explained that mobile phones imported from abroad would work for only a few weeks, after which their services would be blocked unless the required PTA taxes were paid. He added that tax rates vary depending on the phone model. The government is actively considering measures to reduce the financial burden on overseas Pakistanis. Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry emphasized that authorities are working to make things easier for Pakistanis living abroad, especially as the country experiences improving economic conditions and increasing interest from international investors. What is the PTA Tax on Phones “PTA tax” is the duty and associated charges levied by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to register mobile phones imported from abroad for use on local networks through the PTA’s DIRBS system. Paying this tax is mandatory to ensure the device remains functional and avoids network service suspension in Pakistan.