The Senate Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by Naveed Qamar, reviewed mobile phone taxation, with officials presenting figures on imported and locally manufactured devices.
Tax officials informed the committee that imported mobile phones worth $500 face a total tax burden of approximately Rs76,000, combining multiple levies and charges.
Officials explained that imported devices are subject to 54 percent taxation, including 18 percent GST and an additional withholding tax of Rs11,500 on high-end models.
Locally manufactured mobile phones face comparatively lower taxation, with officials confirming that domestic devices are charged around 25 percent under the current framework.
Chairman Naveed Qamar questioned the rationale of imposing income tax alongside GST, stressing the importance of facilitating advanced technology entry into Pakistan.
The committee directed authorities to prepare and present a clear mobile phone taxation policy in the upcoming federal budget, ensuring transparency and consistency across the sector.
