Pakistan announces import duty cut on mobile phones
Key takeaways
- The Chairman of FBR revealed that 95 percent of mobile phones used in Pakistan are locally assembled, while only 5 percent are imported.
- During the last year, imports of mobile phones have risen sharply, and the numbers increased by 61 percent, climbing from 640,000 units to 1.04 million units.
- He also said that the value of mobile phone imports surged by 137 percent during the same period, because of which the government has generated a record Rs. 36.9 billion in duties and taxes.
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
Add ARY News on Google AAResize ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan has announced a 20 percent reduction in regulatory duties on imported mobile phones, as part of the federal budget 2026-27, following which it was expected that consumers could save up to Rs. 14,000 per mobile phone from 1 July 2026.
Speaking to the Standing Committee on Finance of the National Assembly, the Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Rashid Mahmood Langrial, has said that under the tariff rationalization policy, the reduction would primarily benefit buyers of luxurious imported smartphones.
Presenting proposals regarding the Finance Bill 2026, the Chairman of FBR added that any further tax relief should be focused on lower-priced handsets valued between $31 and $200, arguing that such measures would help first-time smartphone users and middle-income consumers.