Tech Desk 
Dec 26, 2025
The Ministry of Information Technology is working on a mobile phone leasing policy, with consultations currently underway with relevant stakeholders, including mobile phone operators, Federal Minister for IT Shaza Fatima said on Friday.
Commenting on the initiative, the minister revealed, "A draft of the policy has already been circulated for mobile operators, and we are working on its finalisation in the coming future."
Fatima highlighted that the IT Ministry’s current focus is to improve the number of cell phones in use within Pakistan, and the Ministry is considering several methods to attain this objective.
She further stated that “the ministry also supports adopting a reduced taxation system on imported mobile phones in a bid to improve affordability, which can contribute to an increase in usage.”
"In reference to previous policies, mobile phones were previously exempt from taxes for Pakistanis abroad. However, due to massive usage of the facility for fraudulent activities, the project was eventually suspended," minister continued.
There was a rise in fraudulent cases involving the registration of mobile phones by individuals using the passport of another person. Several institutions were involved.
Fatima revealed that when she tried to register her own mobile number, she discovered that three mobile phones were already registered against her passport. Consequently, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) took back the exemption of having just one tax-free mobile.
She also revealed that while the government wants to cut taxes on mobile phone imports, the FBR is of the impression that most of the mobile phones in use today are locally made in Pakistan.
