Smartphones for All: IT Ministry Readies Easy Installment Schemes for Phone Buyers

The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) plans to release a policy directive very soon to offer affordable installment options for smartphones, making them accessible to everyone.

Dr. Umar Saif, the Caretaker Minister of IT and Telecom, discussed this in a meeting with representatives from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Cellular Operators, and GSMA.

Dr. Saif mentioned that MoITT will provide detailed policy guidelines to PTA for a smartphone installment program. He stressed the importance of mobile operators, investment firms, and banks creating creative packages that let the public get smartphones through affordable installment plans.

The minister mentioned that they had almost finished discussing with various groups, and they would issue policy guidelines based on their suggestions.

The goal here is to create a system where mobile companies, banks, and investment firms can offer smartphones in installments without losing money, making it accessible to the public.

If someone doesn’t keep up with their installment payments, their mobile phones will be blocked and won’t work. There’s also an idea to block the national ID cards of such people, but that decision isn’t final yet.

Blocking SIM cards of defaulters might be the responsibility of the mobile companies, pending a review of legal matters. An official announcement on this is expected soon.

The minister stressed the importance of mobile companies, banks, and investment firms offering smartphone installment plans with favorable terms as a top priority. Blocking phones of people who don’t pay is meant to discourage non-payment and encourage smartphone usage.