The government is considering proposals to provide relief in mobile phone tax, commonly known as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) tax, for overseas Pakistanis visiting the country, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has informed the Senate.
Speaking during the Question Hour session Thursday, the minister said that overseas Pakistanis had repeatedly raised concerns regarding PTA taxes on mobile phones during overseas conventions held in Pakistan.
Responding to a supplementary question by Senator Chaudhry Abid Sher Ali, he explained that mobile phones brought from abroad remain operational for only a few weeks before services are suspended if the required tax is not paid.
He noted that different tax rates currently apply to different mobile phone models, adding that the government was seriously reviewing options to ease the burden on overseas Pakistanis.
According to the minister, the government is working on measures aimed at facilitating expatriates, particularly as Pakistan seeks to improve economic conditions and attract greater foreign investment.
