Rehan Shahid 
Dec 10, 2025
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Wednesday revealed that taxes on expensive, imported mobile phones impact only a small segment of people, noting that premiums on new high-end models stand at around Rs150,000.
Speaking to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial stated: "This is only a 5% customer issue," adding that 95% of mobile phones in Pakistan are now manufactured locally, and only imported devices face the current tax structure.
The chairman noted that consumers already paying large premiums for luxury models should have no difficulty paying due taxes. “The problem is entirely with high-end phones. If someone can pay a Rs150,000 premium, why can’t they pay tax?” remarked Langrial.
Taxes are applied to imported smartphones, — not local ones — and that raises concerns by industry stakeholders, which would be addressed in detail.
He said that the tax authority will submit its report on the matter to the National Assembly by March 2026, and the same findings will also be shared with the committee.
A day earlier, during the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Qasim Gillani said: "There’s too much tax on smartphones; they already cost too much and are beyond the common man’s reach," adding that consumers were even forced to pay tax again if their phones were stolen.
However, addressing the concerns, FBR chairman assured: "If the FBR rate is higher than the market rate, it will be reduced." Tax officials said mobile phones contributed Rs82 billion in revenue last fiscal year.
