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In mid-October this year, the FBR imposed a tax of Rs 250 on mobile phones worth Rs 15,000 or more, while Rs 300 was levied on cheaper handsets worth Rs 6,000 or more. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly’s standing committee on finance on Wednesday postponed discussion on heavy taxes on mobile phones until its next session, amid concerns over the impact on overseas Pakistanis and local users.
The issue was discussed at 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 member of the committee, said that taxation of imported mobile phones affects not only overseas Pakistanis but also millions of domestic users. Excessive taxes push people towards gray 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 here again,” Gilani said. He added that people often keep two phones: one registered with the PTA and one unregistered.
Gilani pointed out that taxes on cell phones are varied and extremely high.
