Govt’s New Policy to Facilitate Purchasing Mobile Phones Through Installments

The caretaker government has announced the initiation of the ‘Contract-based Smartphones Policy’ scheme starting from January 15 next year, enabling people to purchase smartphones through installment plans, as reported by The News on Saturday.

The scheme is anticipated to be expanded subsequently to benefit other users, including those traveling to other countries, allowing them to acquire the latest smartphone models through convenient installment options.

Federal Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif, unveiled the new policy on Friday, stating that the ministry, in collaboration with telecom companies and other stakeholders, had approved the policy after thorough discussions.

The minister highlighted the objective of incentivizing responsible financial behavior and ensuring the continued expansion of smartphone accessibility. The policy aims to provide telecom companies with the opportunity to directly offer smartphones to customers through installment plans, particularly benefiting low-income segments in Pakistan.

In response to a query, Dr. Saif mentioned that the Information Ministry would introduce ‘Standardized Quality Measurement Tests’ from January 7 to 10, 2024, across the country’s universities to enhance job opportunities for fresh graduates.

He emphasized the significant decisions made by the ministry to revamp Information Technology education in collaboration with various organizations. Additionally, around 20,000 to 25,000 students will be offered job opportunities through the Industry Placement Programme, aiming to increase trained manpower in the industrial sector.