A meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by Naveed Qamar, was held in which FBR officials admitted charging up to 55% tax duty on expensive smart mobile phones.
Committee members unanimously demanded a reduction in mobile phone taxes.
According to details, Committee Chairman Naveed Qamar said that after cars, the FBR is imposing excessive taxes on mobile phones. “Is owning a large car or a mobile phone a sin in this country?” he remarked. Committee members stated that mobile phones are not luxury items but a necessity for everyone.
FBR officials acknowledged that the tax duty on expensive smartphones is as high as 55%. Naveed Qamar said that revenue is not the only concern; the economy must also be considered. The committee has asked for a report on mobile phone taxes by mid-March.
Naveed Qamar added that the matter of mobile phone taxes will be reviewed before the new budget. The committee recommended that smart mobile phones should not be treated as luxury items and that taxes should be reduced.
