NA panel defers mobile phone tax debate

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance on Wednesday deferred discussion on heavy taxes imposed on mobile phones until its next session, amid concerns over the impact on overseas Pakistanis and local users.

The matter was discussed during a meeting chaired by Syed Naveed Qamar, with committee members noting that the issue involves both the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Ali Qasim Gilani, a committee member, said that the taxation of imported mobile phones affects not only overseas Pakistanis but millions of domestic users as well. Excessive taxes are pushing people toward grey fraud,” Gilani said.

“Overseas Pakistanis bring their phones with them, and we do not allow more than one per person. If a phone is brought from abroad, it is taxed again here,” Gilani said. He added that people often keep two phones—one registered with the PTA and one unregistered.

Gilani pointed out that mobile phone taxes are varied and extremely high.