Taxes and duties imposed on mobile phones in Pakistan have been the subject of public debate for a long time. In today’s era, where digital features are rapidly becoming part of everyday life, mobile phones have not only been a source of communication, but have become the main source of access to education, business, procurement and information.
There are currently about 198 million mobile users in the country. Tele density is 80.10 % while over 150 million people are using broadband internet. It is not possible to deny the importance of mobile phones, but a common misunderstanding is that Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) is responsible for taxes and duties levied on mobile phones. However, the truth is opposite. In fact, all taxes and duties on mobile phones receive FBR, while PTA has nothing to do with this financial process.
It should be noted that FBR is the company that has full right to impose taxes on mobile devices, explain and recover it. For this purpose, FBR has issued several legal information, including SRO 2019/(i) 50 2019/(i) 51 and Customs General Order 01. 2024. FBR, which provides the basis for all taxes, releases tax charts from time to time for various models and categories, which are available on the FBR website. Whatever payment is made during mobile registration, it is directly deposited in the FBR account.
Destroying taxes on PTA not only gives rise to misunderstandings, but also makes public debate in the wrong direction. The fact is that PTA neither imposes any tax nor any financial receipt. The role of PTA is only the regulator, namely the monitoring of telecom services, quality testing and resolving consumer grievances, not tax collection.
It is important to understand this difference, but in general social media, markets and daily conversations, wrong words like “PTA Tax” are usually introduced, which is a violation of facts.
To understand the legal registration and tax payment process of mobile phones, we have to look at the DIRBS system launched in 2019. The system was introduced under the “Telecom Policy 2015” to block smuggling, non -complex or fake mobile phones in Pakistan. The system operates according to the principles of GSMA standards and PTA typeup. Dirbs connects PTA, FBR, GSMA, mobile network operators and users under an automated digital system. Which covers all stages of registration, verification and payment. Through this system, users can do mobile phone registration (*8484#) or DIRBS through web portal.
When the IMEI number of the phone is listed in the system, a payment slip ID is issued according to the tax fixed by FBR. The user pays this money directly to FBR through the bank, and after the payment is confirmed, the phone is capable on the Pakistani mobile network. The registration status can be viewed through SMS, website or DIRBS app.
Foreign Pakistanis have also introduced special incentives to facilitate registration, including 10 % tax exemption on registration within 60 days and temporary free registration for 120 days phone on each visit. These measures are to promote legal imports and help foreign Pakistanis.
Customer FBR Helpline 051117772772 or email for all tax related questions [email protected] PTA’s role in this entire process can contact, limited to technical support and guidance. PTA is committed to guidance and resolving hundreds of citizens per day. Only in 2024, PTA received 1,99,722 complaints related to DIRBS, of which 99.9 % successfully resolved. On average, on average, 150 to 200 citizens reach PTA headquarters. For registration or technical issues, PTA helpline can be contacted on 080055055. PTA is providing its services to all customers without any fee.
PTA is not only an active regulatory institution, but also promotes domestic mobile manufacturing industry. Only in 2024, 3.3 million mobile phones were manufactured in Pakistan, while one and 12.81 million phones were made locally in the first five months of 2025. This has paved the way for import dependence and self -confidence. This development is a positive sign of local industry and increasing employment opportunities.
Apart from this, PTA money deposited in the national treasury is also notable, including Rs 112.71 billion in 2021-22, Rs 99 billion in 2022-23 and Rs 54 billion in 2023-24. PTA license fee, spectrum auctions and all these revenue received from other bodies, as well as PTA regularly survey the quality of telecom services across the country, and show notice and fine to the licensed companies in terms of poor performance. In addition, the “Prevention of the Electronic Crime Act” (PECA) is also active in important duties such as monitoring materials, immoral, pornography, disgusting and harmful materials for children.
Although taxes and duties on mobile phones are an important source of national income, criticism of these tax rates is a natural process. There is a requirement that criticism and improvement are in the right direction. It is very important to promote accurate information rather than publicly misunderstanding. A suggestion is to reduce taxes on older or medium phones, for which the model can be classified through the GSMA tac database. Similarly, legal registration can be encouraged by balanced by balanced tax rates on expensive phones, which can also increase the tax net base.
The public, media and consumers should understand the difference that tax is the responsible company FBR and not PTA. PTA is a regulatory body that strives for the development, quality and conservation of the country’s digital infrastructure. Only – -needed dialogue can keep the country on the path of better policy -construction, digital participation and legal imports. Conscious citizens provide the basis for better policy and strong economy.
Note: Express news and its policy do not need to agree with the ideas of this blogger.
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