IT ministry clears mist surrounding mobile phone on installment

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information and Technology has said that the ministry will not offer mobile phones on installment.

A spokesperson for the IT Ministry, Ali Kazim, clarified the stance on providing installment mobile phones stating that the IT ministry’s role is solely to formulate policies, and not providing mobile phones on istallment.

Ali Kazim explained that, at present, the IT ministry focuses to provide more facilities to mobile manufacturing companies in Pakistan to increase mobile phone production in the country.

The spokesperson mentioned that although mobile phone production may increase as a result of this scheme, the IT ministry will only consider offering mobile phones on installments to stimulate demand and supply, following the policy framework.

He clarified that the responsibility for providing mobile phones on installment lies with mobile manufacturers, telecom companies and banks, and not the IT ministry.

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It is important to note that last month, Caretaker IT Minister Dr Umar Saif announced that from January 1, 2024, Pakistanis would have affordable ‘made in Pakistan’ mobile phones on installment.

Dr Saif had said that there was no reason why mobile phones cannot be assembled and manufactured within the country. “Made in Pakistan phones will be competitively priced, with an average cost of around Rs15,000 per phone,” he had said.