Taxes on mobile phones

This refers to the recent initiative by the government regarding the imposition of customs duty and taxes on mobile phones brought into the country. The PTA must be commended for supporting this initiative and launching a user-friendly website that will help people calculate the amount of the duty they have to pay. However, when it comes to the FBR’s ability to provide payment channels, it seems that there is utter confusion in the department which doesn’t know how to collect the duties from people.

I received a message from the PTA for registering my device in a timely manner. However, my visit to the National Bank of Pakistan left me wondering on how to make the required payment. FBR counters at the NBP seem clueless on the subject. It is time the FBR improved the payment channels for the people who are willing to deposit the requisite duties and taxes.

Jawwad Zaki

Islamabad