ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr Umar Saif said that Ministry of IT is set to launch ‘Smartphone for All’ project, allowing individuals to acquire smartphones through easy instalments.

In statement on his official social media account, he said that Ministry is concurrently establishing research and development fund to support mobile phone manufacturing companies and facilitate growth of mobile phone manufacturing sector.

Regarding ‘Smartphone for Al’” project, he explained that in event of failure to pay instalments, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would block handset following pattern of Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS).

Interim Minister said that objective is to encourage responsible financial behaviour and ensure continued expansion of smartphone accessibility. Under this policy, he said that telecom companies will have opportunity to directly offer smartphones to customers through instalment plans, thereby extending advantages of mobile broadband, particularly among low-income segments in Pakistan.

Dr Umar Saif said that Pakistan ranks as seventh major mobile phone market globally, with 190 million mobile phones in use. He expressed government’s goal to reduce mobile phone imports by promoting manufacturing of affordable and high-quality mobile phones within Pakistan.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 13 2024

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