Pakistan Seeks Budget Proposals from IT, Telecom, and Mobile Sectors for 2025-26

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has invited budget proposals from key stakeholders in the IT, telecom, and mobile industries ahead of the 2025-26 federal budget. The initiative aims to address industry challenges and promote growth in Pakistan’s digital economy.

Deadline and Key Focus Areas

The government has set March 10 as the deadline for submitting recommendations. According to sources, the proposals will focus on:

• Expanding digital infrastructure
• Boosting local mobile phone manufacturing
• Enhancing IT exports and freelancer support
• Reducing taxes on telecom and mobile equipment
• Strengthening cybersecurity and cloud computing
• Encouraging investment in broadband and fiber-optic networks

Industry Expectations and Government Review

Stakeholders, including broadband providers, software exporters, and telecom operators, are expected to push for lower taxation, fewer regulatory hurdles, and increased incentives to attract investment. The telecom sector is likely to advocate for tax reductions on mobile devices and network expansion, while the IT industry may seek policy support for digital payments and data center development.

Once the proposals are submitted, MoITT and other government departments will review them before incorporating relevant recommendations into the budget framework. Consultations with industry representatives are also planned to align government policies with sectoral growth objectives.