Promoting IT Parks: New Facility Benefits Students and Foreign Nationals – PM Shehbaz Acknowledges Pakistani Youth’s IT Progress
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the Online Temporary Mobile Phone Registration System to facilitate overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals visiting the country. With this system, they can register and use their personal mobile phones for up to 120 days from their arrival date, exempt from any duties and taxes.
The new facility is available to overseas Pakistanis, including students and overseas workers, as well as foreign nationals visiting. Pakistan for tourism or business purposes can take benefit from this facility.
During the inaugural ceremony in Islamabad, PM emphasized the significant progress made by Pakistani youth in the information technology field. He stated that there are immense opportunities in this sector that should not be wasted.
The premier further mentioned that his government has allocated sufficient funds in the current budget for various youth programs.
The PM announced the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in Pakistan. The primary aim of the council is to attract foreign investment and revive the country’s economy. He referred to the SIFC as an economic recovery program. The IT Ministry will play a crucial role in achieving the set goals.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of promoting IT parks to boost IT exports. Furthermore, the PM mentioned the distribution of free laptops to bright students based on merit.
The premier announced that he would introduce a non-financial package in the next few days to provide additional facilitation for overseas Pakistanis.
In December 2018, the government introduced a ‘Mobile phone tax policy,’ enabling overseas Pakistanis to bring one phone without customs duty. However, upon arrival at the airport, they had to register their phone to activate it; otherwise, the phone wouldn’t function
Overseas Pakistanis were allowed to use their imported phones with one SIM for a 60-day period.However, after this period, the phone will become non-operational until the due taxes are paid to regularize the device.
In 2022, authorities upgraded and added new features to the Identification Registration and Blocking System. This allowed overseas Pakistanis to use their imported mobile phones for an extended period of 120 days.
The system facilitated data exchange among the FIA, the FBR, and the PTA. Furthermore, it related to the FIA’s record of entry and exit of passengers.
