The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has expressed support for reducing the heavy taxes imposed on mobile phones imported from abroad, raising hopes for a significant drop in mobile phone prices in Pakistan in 2026.
According to PTA officials, the current tax policy prevents a large segment of the population from purchasing modern smartphones, and public concern over this situation is continuously growing.
Reports say that the PTA has submitted recommendations to the government, stating that mobile phones are no longer merely a luxury but have become a basic necessity for education, business, digital banking, and online work. In this context, heavy duties and taxes on imported mobile phones have made access to modern technology difficult for the average user.
The PTA added that Pakistanis living abroad also face serious difficulties in bringing mobile phones for personal use when returning home. Due to high taxes, phone registration at airports has become an expensive process, prompting repeated complaints from overseas Pakistanis.
According to the authority, a reasonable reduction in taxes would not only provide relief to the public but also increase the legal import of mobile phones.
Experts note that due to heavy taxes, mobile phone prices in Pakistan are currently much higher than in other countries in the region, leading to a rise in smuggling and the use of illegal phones. Reducing taxes would not only boost competition in the market but could also benefit government revenue in the long term.
