Pakistan to launch smartphone installment programme for all citizens soon. Pakistan’s Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif, announced plans to launch a pioneering program aimed at providing smartphones to citizens through affordable monthly installments.
Dr. Saif revealed this initiative during a meeting with key stakeholders, including officials from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), cellular operators, and GSMA.
The minister disclosed that the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication is on the verge of issuing policy directives to the PTA, based on extensive consultations with all involved parties.
These directives, shaped by valuable recommendations from stakeholders, will form the framework for the smartphone financing program.
Numerous cellular operators, as well as banks and investment companies, have expressed keen interest in participating in this innovative initiative.
Also read: Pakistan made over 18 million mobile phones in 10 months
Dr. Saif stressed the importance of creating a robust mechanism to safeguard these entities from potential financial setbacks, ensuring the program’s sustainability and success.
Under this scheme, individuals who default on their installment payments will face the consequence of having their smartphones blocked.
Furthermore, there is an active consideration of a proposal to block the Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) of consumers who fail to meet their financial obligations, enhancing accountability within the program.
As Pakistan to launch smartphone installment programme for all citizens soon, in a separate engagement, Dr. Saif met with a Senate delegation from Rwanda, where he commended Rwanda’s successful implementation of a phones-for-all policy.
He highlighted the potential collaboration between Pakistan and Rwanda, suggesting that Rwanda could serve as an attractive export market for the 33 cellphone manufacturers operating in Pakistan.
Notably, Pakistan has already made substantial strides in this regard, exporting over 10 million phones to various African markets, thereby bolstering the country’s mobile phone industry and contributing significantly to its economic growth.
