The government’s recent initiative to make technology more widely available has simplified buying cell phones.
Syed Amin Ul Haque, the Federal Minister of IT and Telecom, introduced the “Smartphone For All” project in Islamabad, allowing those with low incomes to purchase mobile phones through simple installments.
The initiative was launched in collaboration with the GSMA and KistPay, Pakistan’s fastest-growing installment payment provider.
In addition to Amin Ul Haq, Julian Gorman, the GSMA’s Head of Asia Pacific, spoke at the event. The inaugural event was also attended by Janet White, the head of policy; Asif Jafri, the CEO of KistPay; Major General (R) Aamir Azeem Bajwa, the chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA); and the CEOs of Ufone, Jazz, Telenor, and Special Communication Organization (SCO).
Addressing the event, Asif Aziz, CCO Jazz, said that the government discontinued prioritizing the local assembly of 4G-enabled smartphones, the import and local production of 2G phones, and developing and implementing a regulatory cover that enables telecom companies to provide smartphones in installments. Lower withholding tax on essential telecom services from 15% to 8% to help an additional 50 million people switch to mobile broadband over the next three years. This will ultimately increase the implementation of digital technology and significantly expand the general public’s socioeconomic options.
During the ceremony, federal minister Amin Ul Haq stated that anyone could participate in the program and purchase a mobile phone by paying between 20 and 30 percent of the device’s total price. He claimed that the ID card would suffice to complete the transaction, eliminating the need for any assurances or extensive paperwork.
He further said that phones priced between 10,000 and 100,000 rupees would first be delivered over three to twelve months. Modern software will be utilized in the gadgets, which won’t cost money and won’t be used anyplace else on the globe.