Govt's new policy to allow people buy mobile phones on instalments

• New policy to be launched from January next year. 
• Govt seeks to expand smartphone accessibility. 
• Companies to directly offer phones through instalment.

ISLAMABAD: The caretaker government announced the launch of the ‘Contract-based Smartphones Policy’ scheme from January 15 next year that will allow people to buy smartphones in instalments, The News reported Saturday. 

The scheme for smartphone accessibility will be expanded subsequently for the benefit of other users, facilitating people travelling to other countries to get the latest model phones in easy instalments.

Federal Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif unveiled the new policy on Friday where he said the ministry, in coordination with the stakeholders of telecom companies, was going to launch the policy from the next month that had been approved after thorough discussions with the stakeholders.

“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.

Dr Saif said that under this policy, telecom companies would have an opportunity to directly offer smartphones to customers through instalment plans, thereby expanding the benefits of mobile broadband, especially among low-income segments in Pakistan.

To a query, he said that his Information Ministry was also introducing ‘Standardised Quality Measurement Tests’ from January 7 to 10, 2024, across the country’s universities to ensure job opportunities for fresh graduates. 

The ministry has made significant decisions to revamp Information Technology education in universities in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), National Computing Accreditation Council, Examination Testing Council, Pakistan Software Export Board and Pakistan Software Houses Association, he added.

The information minister said that with an aim to provide job opportunities through another countrywide programme, around 20,000 to 25,000 students will be offered job opportunities through the Industry Placement Programme after they have passed the test. “We will allocate funds to support special industry courses in universities, designed to prepare students for current industry trends and needs. We also aim to increase our trained manpower in the industrial sector,” he added.

He stressed the need to attach importance to aligning educational institutions which can fulfil industry requirements and facilitate industry-specific training manpower. 

The information minister asked the universities to take rapid action to start new quality courses in entrepreneurship and exports for students. “We have planned to make exponential growth in the IT sector as it is necessary for us to bring productivity revolution in our economy by using information and communications technology," he maintained.