The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has finally allowed individuals to pay sales tax on imported mobile phones in installments. The move comes more than two months after the government announced plans to introduce the facility.
The installment option will operate through the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS). The measure aims to provide greater flexibility for individuals importing mobile devices.
The facility was introduced through a new provision added to the Ninth Schedule of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. FBR explained the change in Circular No. 1 of 2026, issued on September 11.
New Facility Offers Flexible Tax Payments
Under the new rules, individuals will no longer need to pay the entire sales tax amount upfront. Instead, they can divide the payment into installments over a specified period.
However, all installments must be cleared before the end of the financial year in which the mobile phone is imported. This means the full tax liability must still be settled within the prescribed timeframe.
The provision was introduced through amendments included in the Finance Act, 2026. Officials say the facility will make tax payments easier while ensuring government revenue collection remains intact.
PTA Yet to Introduce Payment Mechanism
Although FBR has approved the installment facility, the practical implementation now depends on the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. PTA must develop and introduce a mechanism to process installment payments through DIRBS.
Pakistan launched the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System in December 2018. The system identifies unregistered mobile devices and blocks phones that do not meet tax and registration requirements.
The government also withdrew the duty-free facility for mobile phones brought by overseas travellers in July 2019. Since then, individuals importing phones have generally been required to pay all applicable duties and taxes before registering devices for use on local networks.
For the latest updates, visit and follow The Truth International website (www.thetruthinternational.com) and subscribe to the YouTube Channel.
