Minister said that different tax rates were fixed for different mobile phone models
ISLAMABAD:
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, informed the Senate on Thursday that the government was seriously considering proposals to provide relaxation in PTA mobile charges to overseas Pakistanis to facilitate foreigners visiting the country.
Responding to a supplementary question raised by Chaudhry Abid Sher Ali during question hour, the minister said that overseas Pakistanis had repeatedly demanded relaxation of PTA taxes on mobile phones during overseas conventions held in Pakistan.
He said mobile phones brought from abroad remained functional for a limited period of a few weeks after which services were suspended unless the prescribed PTA fee was paid.
The minister said that different tax rates had been fixed for different mobile phone models and the issue of easing the burden on overseas Pakistanis is currently under serious consideration by the government.
The minister said the government was making efforts to facilitate overseas Pakistanis, especially at a time when Pakistan was witnessing improving economic conditions and growing international investment interest.
