ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information and Technology in Pakistan is gearing up to introduce the ‘Smartphone for All’ initiative, aimed at enhancing public access to smartphones through convenient installment plans.
This initiative is a response to the exacerbated financial challenges caused by inflation, presenting an opportunity for individuals to acquire smartphones without a substantial upfront payment.
The project has gained attention for its emphasis on promoting responsible financial behavior and increasing smartphone accessibility for citizens facing financial constraints.
Telecom companies in Pakistan will be permitted to provide mobile phones through leasing plans, thereby expanding mobile broadband access to a wider audience.
The ‘Smartphone for All’ project is anticipated to furnish smartphones to all citizens in Pakistan, contributing to economic stimulation and encouraging the use of e-commerce.
Application Procedure:
GSMA Smartphone for All Scheme: The initiative enables individuals to acquire smartphones valued between Rs10,000 to Rs100,000 through easy installments spanning 3-12 months.
Eligibility: Citizens with valid ID cards, including students, professionals, and those with low incomes, are eligible to participate.
Interest-free Installments: Pakistanis can obtain smartphones on interest-free installments with a minimum 20 percent down payment.
Given that Pakistan is the seventh-largest global mobile phone market with 190 million mobile phones in use, the ‘Smartphone for All’ project aims to bridge the digital divide, making smartphones accessible to a diverse range of citizens.
For updates and online applications, individuals are encouraged to follow the Ministry of Information and Technology’s platform, aligning with the goal of promoting digital inclusivity and leveraging technology for economic growth.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
