The federal government is preparing to introduce a smartphone leasing program that will allow citizens to purchase mobile phones through affordable monthly installments following the upcoming 5G spectrum auction.
Secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Zarrar Hasham Khan, said during a background briefing that the initial draft of the mobile phone leasing policy has been finalized as part of preparations for the launch of 5G services.
Separately, Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Hafeez Ur Rehman, said entry-level 5G smartphones are expected to remain reasonably priced, likely ranging between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 45,000, to encourage wider adoption once 5G services are introduced.
According to officials, the leasing policy is being developed in consultation with telecom operators, banks, and other industry stakeholders. The plan will be implemented after the rollout of 5G services to ensure more people can access compatible smartphones.
Officials explained that the primary goal of the initiative is to make smartphones more accessible as digital services continue to expand across Pakistan. By offering installment-based purchasing options, the government hopes to reduce the upfront financial burden on consumers.
During the briefing, Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja noted that nearly 95 percent of mobile phones used in Pakistan are locally manufactured, while only a small portion of users rely on costly imported devices.
The PTA chairman also addressed confusion regarding taxes on mobile handsets, clarifying that duties on phone imports are collected by the Federal Board of Revenue, not the telecom regulator. He added that the PTA does not set tax rates for individual smartphone models.
He further revealed that the authority has been engaging with local manufacturers, with around 35 companies currently producing mobile phones in Pakistan, including at least five firms that have already begun manufacturing 5G-compatible devices.
Officials added that the government plans to ensure adequate availability of 5G-enabled smartphones in the market before the commercial launch of 5G services.
