ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif, announced on Friday that the Ministry of IT is gearing up to launch the “Smartphone for All” project. This initiative aims to enable individuals to acquire smartphones through convenient installment plans.
Dr. Saif further disclosed that the ministry is simultaneously establishing a research and development fund to support mobile phone manufacturing companies, fostering the growth of the mobile phone manufacturing sector in the country.
Explaining the mechanics of the “Smartphone for All” project, Dr. Saif highlighted that in case of default on installment payments, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would implement a block on the handset, akin to the Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS).
This measure is intended to encourage responsible financial behavior while ensuring the sustained expansion of smartphone accessibility.
Under this policy, telecom companies will have the opportunity to directly offer smartphones to customers through installment plans, thereby extending the benefits of mobile broadband, particularly among low-income segments in Pakistan.
Dr. Umar Saif noted that Pakistan stands as the seventh-largest mobile phone market globally, with 190 million mobile phones in use.
The government’s overarching objective is to reduce mobile phone imports by promoting the local manufacturing of affordable and high-quality mobile phones within Pakistan. This move aligns with broader efforts to enhance self-sufficiency, technological advancement, and financial inclusion in the country.
