In a meeting on Thursday, Caretaker Minister of IT and Telecom Dr. Umar Saif stated that the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) will publish a policy directive in the coming days to increase smartphone accessibility for all individuals through reasonable installment choices.
During a high-level conference attended by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), GSMA, and cellular operators, the minister said that MoITT will provide PTA with complete policy directions about the smartphone installment programme.
He underlined the necessity for banks, investment firms, and cellular carriers to launch creative packages that enable the general people to purchase smartphones through reasonable installment plans.
The minister clarified that after holding lengthy discussions with a range of stakeholders, policy directives will be released in response to their suggestions. With this effort, the public will be successfully reached by establishing a structure that guarantees banks, investment firms, and cellular carriers may provide smartphones in installments without suffering losses.
Dr. Umar Saif, in the meantime, described the repercussions for defaulters who don't fulfil their installment payments. These people would have their mobile phones disabled, making them useless.
In addition, though a final decision has not yet been taken, the idea to ban defaulters' national identity cards is being considered. Subject to an examination of legal matters, the cellular providers that provide the mobile phones may be responsible for blocking defaulters' SIM cards. An official statement is anticipated soon.
The minister emphasised that the announcement of smartphone payment plans with favourable conditions by banks, investment firms, and cellular carriers should be the top priority. In an effort to discourage nonpayment and encourage smartphone use, the group decided unanimously to disable defaulters' phones.
It is anticipated that this increase in demand would help the nation's economy, the mobile phone manufacturing sector, and cellular carriers' ability to expand their service coverage to more rural places.
While acknowledging the difficulties that come with making important decisions, Dr. Umar Saif emphasised the need of laws that support economic development and digital inclusion.
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