NA Committee Set to Revisit High Mobile Phone Taxes as Overseas Pakistanis Voice Concerns

Islamabad is gearing up for a crucial policy discussion this Wednesday as the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue takes up one of the most debated public issues of the year — taxation on imported mobile phones. The upcoming meeting is expected to shape how overseas Pakistanis, businesses, and everyday mobile users will be taxed when bringing new or refurbished devices into the country.

According to the revised notice issued by the National Assembly Secretariat, the meeting will take place in the Constitution Room at Parliament House, Islamabad, where the committee will review taxation, valuation methods and current limits applied to imported mobile devices. For many Pakistanis living abroad, this has become a pressing issue due to steep tax burdens under the PTA’s IMEI registration process.

FBR and PTA to Present Joint Briefing

A major highlight of the session will be a joint briefing by the Chairmen of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). They will address public concerns about the high tax slabs, valuation processes, and regulatory requirements for overseas Pakistanis bringing phones into the country.

The matter has been widely debated on social media, with MNA Makhdoom Syed Qasim Gillani actively advocating for a rationalised tax regime. His consistent efforts on X (formerly Twitter) have helped bring the issue into mainstream policy discussions, urging the government to ease the burden on consumers and overseas workers who rely on bringing devices home.

FPCCI Raises Red Flags Over High PTA Taxes

In a significant development ahead of the committee meeting, FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh sent a formal letter on December 1 to the FBR Chairman and the finance committee heads in both houses. The letter raised serious concerns about what the public refers to as the “PTA tax” — though collected by the FBR.

The FPCCI argued that mobile phones are no longer luxury items but essential tools for communication, e-commerce, freelancing, online banking and digital participation. The existing tax system, they said, has inflated prices, discouraged lawful imports and pushed many toward grey-market channels.

The business community urged the government to rationalise tax slabs and proposed forming a working group consisting of FBR, PTA, the Ministry of IT & Telecom and FPCCI. Their goal: a fairer and more growth-oriented taxation structure that doesn’t stifle digital access.

Why a Rationalised Tax Matters

Industry experts believe that reducing excessive taxes could encourage legal imports, increase government revenue and support Pakistan’s growing tech ecosystem. A more affordable mobile phone market would empower freelancers, students, small businesses and youth who rely heavily on smartphones for work and education.

The FPCCI also highlighted that a practical tax framework would help Pakistan prepare for future advancements such as wider 5G adoption and stronger digital infrastructure.

What to Expect From the Committee Meeting

While the Standing Committee will also review several other financial and legislative matters, the taxation issue is expected to dominate discussions. With rising public pressure, economic implications and the active involvement of stakeholders, Wednesday’s meeting may become a turning point for how Pakistan handles mobile phone taxation — especially for overseas Pakistanis.

Businesses, traders and consumers are now watching closely, hoping the dialogue results in a predictable, fair and business-friendly policy.

Read More: Forbes Highlights Punjab’s Suthra Punjab as a Global Waste Management Success Story