The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced that it is actively considering reducing taxes on mobile phones brought into Pakistan from abroad by overseas Pakistanis, in a move that could provide significant relief to travelers and expatriates.

During a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance, FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial informed lawmakers that a proposal is under review to lower taxes on old and used mobile phones carried by overseas Pakistanis. He also revealed that reducing customs duties on low-value used mobile phones is being examined as part of broader reforms.

The FBR chairman said a comprehensive report on potential tax reductions for imported mobile phones is expected to be finalized by March, after which a formal decision will be taken.

Also Read: Government may end PTA taxes on mobile phones

In the same meeting, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman shared that imported mobile phones now make up only a small portion of the market, with just around 6 percent of total devices coming from abroad, while nearly 94 percent of mobile phones are being manufactured locally. He added that locally assembled phones are currently taxed at a relatively low rate of 5 to 6 percent.

Member Customs Shakil Shah informed the committee that mobile phone sales have become a major source of revenue for the government. He revealed that taxes collected from mobile phone sales reached Rs82 billion, while imported mobile phones contributed around Rs18 billion to national revenue.

The review of mobile phone taxes is seen as part of the government’s effort to balance revenue generation with public relief, especially for overseas Pakistanis who frequently bring personal devices when returning to the country.