The sitting IT Minister, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, recently took a bold stand against heavy smartphone taxation inside the National Assembly (NA) of Pakistan. She actively protested the current mobile phone tax structure during a live session. To make her point, the IT Minister held up a placard that directly challenged the government’s fiscal policies. The sign boldly stated, “Phones Are a Need, Not a Luxury”. Furthermore, the placard featured the hashtag #Reduce_PTA_Tax. Consequently, this demonstration highlights the mounting pressure on the government to lower connectivity costs.
Ali Kasim Gillani also joined the IT Minister during this demonstration. He shared his positive thoughts regarding this development in an X post:
IT Minister @ShazaFK has been a strong advocate for reducing the excessive PTA tax, consistently supporting relief during committee meetings and press conferences. The real challenge lies with the FBR and the Finance Ministry, which need to recognize that a reasonable tax regime… https://t.co/EuqLqdiJvZ
— Kasim Gilani (@KasimGillani) June 11, 2026
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) tax represents the combined government duties citizens must pay to register their devices. Officially, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) applies and collects these funds directly. Meanwhile, the PTA merely provides technical support through its Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS). Currently, buyers can register their phones via a CNIC for local purchases or a passport for travel-based registrations. Typically, the passport registration route remains cheaper for consumers.
Recently, the Directorate General of Customs Valuation lowered tax duties on 62 used and refurbished mobile models. Authorities implemented this reduction to match import duties with global market prices. Additionally, this move aims to bring more non-PTA phones into the official tax network. However, these tax cuts apply exclusively to used devices. Brand-new smartphones continue to carry their original, heavily taxed valuations.
Citizens do not need to guess their exact tax burden. You can quickly verify your device’s specific duty online. First, find your phone’s IMEI number. Next, visit the WeBOC device duty portal. Finally, enter your IMEI into the search field. The system will instantly display your full PTA tax details. Therefore, buyers should always calculate this cost before purchasing an unregistered device.
