Govt set to provide smartphones to low-income people on installment plans

The caretaker government unveiled a plan to make smartphones accessible through installment purchases, launching the 'Contract-based Smartphones Policy' next year on January 15.

The scheme will soon expand to benefit even more users, opening the door for travelers to purchase smartphones through convenient installments.

Announcing the new policy on Friday, the Caretaker IT and Telecom Minister Dr Umar Saif said that the policy was finalised after a detailed discussion with telecom stakeholders, adding that the policy has been approved and set to roll out next month.

“Our aim is to incentivise responsible financial behaviour and ensure that smartphone accessibility continues to expand. We need a robust mechanism to protect investors from defaults through measures such as blocking mobile phones and, potentially, national identity cards of defaulters,” the minister said.

The policy will empower the low-income segment in Pakistan by enabling telecom companies to offer affordable smartphones in installments, expanding their access to mobile broadband services.

The IT ministry finalised the smartphone financing policy in November, encouraging banks, investment companies, and telecom firms to collaborate on offering affordable smartphone purchases via installments.

Dr Saif maintained that affordable installment plans for smartphones would fuel demand, boosting both the mobile phone manufacturing industry and the broader economy.

The interim minister warned that smartphone owners who miss installment payments will face consequences and their phones will be blocked by the government.