Govt proposes instalment facility for taxes on imported mobile phones

The government has proposed allowing individuals to pay taxes on imported mobile phones in instalments under amendments to the Finance Bill 2026, in a move aimed at reducing the burden on consumers.

The change has been recommended by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance as part of a wider review of the Finance Bill.

Under the proposed amendment, an individual liable to pay tax on an imported mobile phone through the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority may be allowed to pay the amount in instalments, as prescribed.

However, all instalments will have to be paid before the end of the financial year in which the mobile phone is imported.

The government has also decided to reduce penalties and prosecution linked to digital non-compliance under the amended Finance Bill 2026.

The committee finalised its recommendations late Monday night at the Parliament House. An FBR team remained present throughout the day to review the proposals recommended by the committee.

A separate meeting on amendments to the Finance Bill 2026 was also held at the Ministry of Finance on Monday, which was attended by the FBR team.