A major development has emerged for people planning to bring or import mobile phones into Pakistan. Under the Finance Act 2026, the government has allowed PTA taxes on imported mobile phones to be paid in installments, aiming to reduce the financial burden of making a one time payment. However, the official notification detailing the procedure and conditions has yet to be issued.
According to officials, the facility will apply to both new and used imported mobile phones. Consumers will still be required to pay the full PTA tax within the prescribed timeframe. The move is expected to provide relief, particularly to buyers of expensive smartphones such as iPhones and flagship Android devices.
Official procedure yet to be announced
Although the law now permits installment payments, the relevant authorities have not yet released the standard operating procedures (SOPs), the number of installments, the banking mechanism, or the eligibility criteria. Consumers are advised to rely only on official announcements before believing any claims regarding the new facility.
Beware of social media rumours
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has previously clarified that claims circulating on social media about immediate installment payments through the DIRBS system were false. The authority has urged the public to trust only information issued through official channels.
How will consumers benefit?
Experts believe the decision will mainly benefit people who can afford premium imported smartphones but find it difficult to pay the hefty PTA tax in a single payment. The installment option is also expected to encourage legal device registration and help reduce the use of unregistered mobile phones.
What should consumers do?
Before purchasing an imported mobile phone, consumers are advised to check the applicable PTA tax, registration eligibility and the latest regulations. They can obtain registration and tax details by dialing *8484# or through the PTA’s official portal.
Officials said that all details regarding the installment payment mechanism will be made public once the formal notification is issued.
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