GSMA and Kistpay launch “Smartphone for All” in Pak to make ownership.
Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque remarked during the GSMA ‘Smartphone for All’ (smartphone program for everyone)launching ceremony “Today, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication made another tangible step towards realizing the goal of digital Pakistan.
With our “Smartphone for All” program, we want to increase the purchasing power of the economically disadvantaged through instalment-based financing options and promote digital inclusion among young people, women, and rural areas by encouraging early smartphone adoption.
A top aim is to enhance smartphone access so that everyone in Pakistan may participate in the digital economy and reap the socio-economic benefits of higher smartphone adoption.
While praising the program, he added that connection is just as important as smartphones and that the Ministry of IT has launched several connectivity initiatives throughout the nation using the Universal Service Fund (USF).
According to him, initiatives worth Rs 65 billion have been started in the previous four years to provide broadband services in the nation’s unreached and underserved areas.
He said that 28 various initiatives have been started this year to offer telecom services in various regions of the nation. The team at Universal Service Fund, led by CEO Haaris Chaudhary, received praise from Pakistan’s IT Minister for their success in bringing broadband to remote and underserved communities.
Haque stated that initiatives are being taken to boost IT exports. According to him, efforts are being made to resolve problems in the telecom sector. He said that the Ministry of IT’s objective is to empower young people, particularly women.
According to the minister
Google has registered with SECP and has chosen to create an office in Pakistan. In the second week of December, a Google delegation will visit Pakistan. Facebook officials and TikTok also want to work together to create offices there.
The specifics state that Kistpay offers the quickest application approval procedure for Shariah-Compliant Smartphone Financing on top smartphone manufacturers with plans ranging from 3 to 12 months.
Smartphone Program on Kistpay
Customers can use the retail network, telecom partners, Kistpay’s website, and Whatsapp channels to access the financing option but Prices for smartphones on Kistpay will vary from PKR 10,000 to PKR 100,000.
A connected population is a fundamental component of a digital nation from which flows digital economic development, empowered industry and entrepreneurs, and enhanced livelihoods for every person, according to Julian Gorman, Head of Asia-Pacific (APAC), GSMA.
At the event, Major General Amir Azeem Bajwa (retd), Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), praised Kistpay and the GSMA for their efforts in bridging the pricing gap for smartphones, which is a significant obstacle to the use of mobile internet.
He said that easier access to cell phones would boost informational access, which will foster the growth of micro-businesses and lower poverty.
Syed Asif Jafri, CEO of Kistpay, spoke at the occasion and emphasized the difficulties that the majority of Pakistanis encounter in obtaining cell phones and financing that complies with Shariah.
“Kistpay will empower millions of unconnected individuals for digital and financial inclusion so that they may enjoy the advantages of a digitally connected existence,” Asif Jafri continued.
According to Asif Aziz
CCO of Jazz, the government must stop the import and local production of 2G phones, give priority to the local assembly of 4G-enabled smartphones, develop and put into place a regulatory framework that permits telecom companies to offer smartphones on installments, and lower the withholding tax on essential telecom services from 15% to 8% in order to make the transition to mobile broadband easier for an additional 50 million people over the next three years. This will accelerate the adoption of digital technology and greatly expand the general public’s socioeconomic options.
