The government has introduced a facility allowing PTA tax on imported new and used mobile phones to be paid in instalments under the Finance Bill 2025-26.
The new measure, set to take effect from July 1, aims to ease the financial burden on consumers and encourage legal registration of mobile devices.
Further details regarding eligibility and the instalment payment mechanism will be announced by the relevant authorities.
Is PTA tax on iPhones going to be reduced soon?
Earlier, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Rashid Mahmood Langrial, hinted at reducing PTA tax on iPhones and other phones.
During a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, the chairman said that the FBR may reduce taxes on imported mobile phones worth up to $200.
He noted that imported mobile phones generate around Rs37 billion in annual tax revenue, of which Apple devices alone contribute approximately Rs21 billion.
Currently, the PTA tax on the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max exceeds PKR 200,000 on CNIC.
The price of this phone typically falls between Rs550,000 and Rs600,000.
In other news, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has introduced a temporary mobile phone registration facility for overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals.
This major step will allow the overseas Pakistanis to use their personal devices in Pakistan for up to 120 days without paying taxes or facing service disruptions.
The initiative has been launched through the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) and is aimed at facilitating short-term visitors who bring mobile phones from abroad and wish to use local SIM cards during their stay.
Also read: Pakistan lowers import taxes on small cars, increases duties on luxury vehicles
