PTA drafts rules and regulations for local manufacturing of mobile phones
New policy has been made to discourage smuggling of mobile handsets. PHOTO: FILE
In line with the federal government’s policy to promote local manufacturing of mobile phones in the country, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has prepared a draft of rules and regulations.
The PTI-led government earlier in June approved the first mobile manufacturing policy – Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy – to promote local manufacturing and assembly of mobile handsets in the country.
Under the policy, tax rates for high-end mobile sets had been increased while tax rates for low-end handsets had been either reduced or eliminated.
“To promote local manufacturing and assembly, and to discourage smuggling of mobile handsets, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has prepared draft Mobile Device Manufacturing Regulations and Authorisation Template in the light of Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy issued by the Government of Pakistan on 2nd June, 2020,” read an official statement issued on Tuesday.
The telecommunication regulator invited telecom consumers, stakeholders and the public to provide their comments on the draft available at PTA website link by October 5 2020 or in case of no feedback the draft will be considered as final.
"PTA has taken substantial steps to promote local manufacturing of handsets. PTA is envisaging domestic production of low, medium and high-end smartphones and foreign companies will be incentivised to invest in the manufacturing of mobile handsets in Pakistan," it added.