ISLAMABAD: In a bid to facilitate overseas Pakistanis and foreign nationals visiting the country, the government has introduced the online Temporary Mobile Phone Registration System.
This new service allows overseas Pakistanis and foreign visitors to register and use their personal mobile phones in Pakistan for up to 120 days from their arrival date without incurring any duty or tax.
The system is expected to benefit students, employees, and tourists or business visitors, making it easier for them to use their mobile phones during their stay in Pakistan without worrying about additional fees.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony on Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the significance of initiatives related to information technology in facilitating overseas Pakistanis. He lauded the online registration system as a positive step that would benefit millions of overseas Pakistanis by allowing them to register their mobile phones during their visit without any tax burden.
The prime minister further highlighted that with this facility, overseas Pakistanis would be able to use their mobile phones for four months after registering them in Pakistan.
He also urged the relevant authorities to streamline the process and hinted at the government’s plans to announce a financial package for overseas Pakistanis in the near future.
Addressing the potential of Pakistan’s IT sector, Prime Minister Sharif noted that developed countries had made significant progress in this domain, and Pakistan possessed immense talent, with a large number of young people receiving IT education. He stressed the need to tap into the vast opportunities in the IT sector for the country’s economic growth.
Under the PM’s youth programs, funds have been allocated for vocational and skills development education for the youth, and laptops are being distributed to students based on merit.
Prime Minister Sharif underscored the importance of promoting the IT sector, along with the exploration of minerals and development of the agriculture sector, as key components of the country’s economy. He urged authorities to expedite the work on the IT park, expressing his belief that IT-related projects would lead the country towards significant progress.
Furthermore, he highlighted the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in Pakistan to attract foreign investment and revitalize the country’s economy. The IT ministry plays a pivotal role in achieving the goals set forth by the SIFC, making it an integral part of the economic recovery program.
