The government has allowed individuals importing mobile phones to pay the required taxes in installments from July 1, 2026. The new facility is part of the Finance Act 2026 and aims to make the registration process more affordable.
Under the new law, people registering imported mobile phones through the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will no longer have to pay the full tax amount at once. Instead, they can clear the payment through multiple installments.
However, the government has set one important condition. Importers must pay all installments before the end of the financial year in which they import the mobile phone.
The change comes through an amendment to the Ninth Schedule of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, included in the Finance Act 2026.
The amended law states, “An individual liable to pay tax on an imported mobile phone device through the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority may be allowed to pay tax in installments as may be prescribed, subject to the condition that all the installments shall be paid before the end of the financial year in which the import is made.”
The government will announce detailed rules for the new system in the coming weeks. These rules will explain the number of installments, payment timelines, and the complete registration process.
The new policy is expected to benefit overseas Pakistanis and other individuals who bring mobile phones into the country for personal use. These users must register their devices with the PTA and pay all applicable duties and taxes before using local mobile networks.
At present, imported mobile phones cannot connect to Pakistani cellular networks until users complete PTA registration through the DIRBS system after paying the required taxes.
Officials expect the instalment option to improve tax compliance while reducing the financial pressure of paying a large amount at once. It could also encourage more people to register expensive smartphones instead of delaying the process. The new facility will take effect on July 1, 2026, along with other tax measures introduced under the Finance Act 2026.
