PTA announces additional fee per mobile phone being manufactured in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced the imposition of additional fees on mobile phone manufacturing companies.

According to the sources, PTA has announced to collect a fee of Rs 120 per phone being manufactured in Pakistan from manufacturing companies.

However, the Pakistan Mobile Phone Manufacturer Association (PMPMA) has rejected the additional leavy and demanded a consideration on the decision.

In a letter written to the PTA, PMPMA urged the telecom authority to sit together and discuss the implications of such a measure on the operations and morale of the 31 manufacturers of mobile phones in Pakistan. For that, the association requested a meeting on June 13 or 14, 2024.

“The PTA proposal to levy a fee on the industry is viewed very seriously by our members. It is a very sensitive issue as our industry is still in the infancy stage and needs the support of the Government,” the letter, a copy of which is available with Daily Ausaf, said.

The association said that Mobile Phone Manufacturers in Pakistan have created almost 40,000 direct & indirect jobs in the last 2-years. “Alhamdulillah, today, 95% of all mobile phones sold in Pakistan are “Made in Pakistan” including some of the leading global brands.”

Moreover, the letter mentioned, “Since the announcement of the Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy (MDMP), the domestic mobile phone industry has gone through various shocks. The industry suffered from COVID-19, economic recession & PKR devaluation, and restriction on import of CKD parts by State Bank of Pakistan.”

“Even then, the industry has displayed resilience and is now working towards initiating the export of mobile phones from Pakistan. We want to highlight the tremendous role played by PTA in creating this industry,” the letter said.

“The PTA policies have been investor-friendly and highly supportive. Whether it is the fault-free implementation of DIRBS or the issuance of type approval and COCs, PTA’s performance has been efficient and industry-friendly. We thank you for this great support to our members.”