The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is considering reducing taxes on used mobile phones brought into Pakistan by overseas Pakistanis, according to FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial. He made the announcement during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, which reviewed taxation policies on imported and locally manufactured mobile phones.
Chairman Langrial highlighted that the government is exploring the possibility of lowering duties specifically on low-value used mobile phones commonly brought by expatriates. A detailed report proposing reductions in mobile phone taxes is expected to be finalized by March 2026.
During the session, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (R) Hafeez ur Rehman shared key data on Pakistan’s mobile market, noting that only 6 percent of phones in the country are imported, while 94 percent are locally manufactured. Locally produced devices carry relatively low tax rates of 5–6 percent.
Customs Member Shakeel Shah added that the government collected Rs82 billion in taxes from mobile phone sales this year, including Rs18 billion from imported devices. The committee discussed proposals to ease the burden on overseas Pakistanis, including a suggestion by MNA Ali Qasim Gillani to allow expatriates to bring one mobile phone per year tax-free. Gillani pointed out that current duties on high-end phones, such as the iPhone 12, can exceed the cost of the device itself, and emphasized that expatriates contribute billions in remittances, warranting relief.
The committee agreed to review these proposals further, exploring potential tax incentives for overseas Pakistanis to make importing phones more affordable while encouraging continued contributions to the national economy.
