Installment Facility for PTA Tax on Imported Phones Approved
The federal government has decided to introduce an installment facility for the payment of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) taxes on imported smartphones under the Finance Bill 2026–27. The decision was announced after Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the Finance Bill 2026–27 in the National Assembly, which was subsequently approved by the House.
Under the new provisions, individuals liable to pay tax on imported mobile phones through the PTA’s Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) will be allowed to pay the applicable taxes in installments as per the prescribed procedure. The bill stipulates that all installments must be cleared before the end of the financial year in which the mobile phone is imported. The facility will apply to both new and used imported mobile phones, effective from July 1.
Finance Minister Highlights Budget Goals
Meanwhile, winding up the general debate on the federal budget 2026–27, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the government had presented a “balanced, growth-oriented and stability-focused budget” aimed at sustaining economic recovery and reform momentum. He rejected concerns over Pakistan’s GDP calculations, stating that national accounts are prepared in accordance with internationally recognized standards and that there has been no change in methodology for calculating key economic indicators such as GDP and per capita income.
Aurangzeb emphasized the need for national consensus to sustain economic stability, adding that recent macroeconomic indicators showed improvement over the past year. The installment plan for PTA taxes is expected to ease the financial burden on consumers importing mobile phones, while ensuring tax compliance through the DIRBS system.
