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Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif, announced on Friday the imminent launch of the “Smartphone for All” initiative, allowing individuals to obtain smartphones through convenient installment plans. Through an official social media statement, he highlighted the Ministry of IT’s simultaneous establishment of a research and development fund to support mobile phone manufacturing companies, fostering growth in the mobile phone manufacturing sector.
Dr. Saif elucidated that in case of installment non-payment, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would implement handset blocking following the Device Identification, Registration, and Blocking System (DIRBS) model. Emphasizing responsible financial behavior, the minister aims to ensure sustained smartphone accessibility expansion.
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In adherence to this policy, he revealed that telecom companies will now have the opportunity to directly provide smartphones to customers through installment plans. This strategy aims to extend mobile broadband benefits, particularly among low-income segments in Pakistan. Dr. Umar Saif emphasized Pakistan’s position as the seventh-largest global mobile phone market, boasting 190 million currently active devices.
Expressing the government’s objective to decrease mobile phone imports, the minister outlined plans to promote the local manufacturing of affordable, high-quality mobile phones within Pakistan.