The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue has instructed the Federal Board of Revenue Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to develop an installment-based payment system for taxes on mobile phones required for PTA approval.

During a meeting held on Sunday, lawmakers noted that a large number of non-PTA-approved smartphones are circulating in the local market. Members stressed that consumers should be given the option to clear PTA-related taxes in installments, similar to global consumer financing models used for everyday purchases.

The committee, chaired by Syed Naveed Qamar Syed Naveed Qamar, directed coordination between the FBR and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to prepare a workable proposal for installment-based tax payments.

Some members also raised concerns over whether the existing tax structure is primarily designed to generate revenue or to provide indirect protection to local manufacturers.

FBR officials maintained that mobile-related taxes remain a key revenue stream for the government. Meanwhile, the Finance Secretary cautioned that any reduction or easing of taxes on low-cost devices could create an estimated Rs1 billion revenue gap, which would need to be covered through alternative sources.