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GSMA Smartphone 4 All launched Initiative to facilitate affordable smartphone ownership

 

With our ‘Smartphone for All’ initiative, we aim to, improve the buying ability of marginalized people via installment-based financing instruments, Amin-Ul-Haque

Global System

Islamabad, Wednesday, November 23, 2022: The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA)&Kistpay in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication launched ‘Smartphone 4 All’ initiative to facilitate affordable smartphone ownership for low-and middle-income consumers in Pakistan on easy instalments.

Syed Amin Ul Haque, the Federal Minister for Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication, attended the event, which took place on Wednesday at a local hotel in Islamabad. The event was also attended by Secretary IT (incharge), Member Telecom, Member IC, Member Legal, other officials, and personalities from the IT & telecom Industry.

Honor For Teams of Kistpay and GSMA

While congratulating the teams of Kistpay and GSMA on achieving this milestone. The Chief Guest of the ceremony, Syed Amin Ul Haque, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication said,

“Today, Ministry of IT and Telecommunication took another concrete step towards achieving the vision of Digital Pakistan.”

With our‘ Smartphone for All’ initiative, we aim to improve the buying ability of marginalized people via instalment-based financing instruments. Also seek to encourage the digital inclusion of youth, women, and rural communities through early smartphone adoption.

A top priority is to increase smartphone access so that everyone in Pakistan. Participate in the digital economy and reap the socio-economic benefits of higher smartphone penetration.

The IT Minister also commended the Universal Service Fund Team and its CEO, Haaris Choudhary, for their success in bringing connectivity to Pakistan’s underserved and unserved areas.

Smartphone Brands

Minister IT says Google finally decided to open its office in Pakistan and has been registered in SECP.

AGoogle delegation will visit to Pakistan on 2nd week of December this year. Furthermore, TikTok also planned to open office in Pakistan and Facebook authorities are in contact for the same.

According to the details, Kistpay enables Shariah Compliant Smartphone Financing on leading smartphone. Brands with plans ranging from 3 to 12 months with the fastest application approval process. Customers can avail the financing facility via the retail network, telco partners, Kistpay website and through the KistpayWhatsapp channel. Smartphones will be available through Kistpay in the price of range of PKR 10,000 to PKR 100,000.

Read More: 10 Best Android Smartphones in Pakistan

Welcome Note

In his welcome note, Julian Gorman, Head of Asia-Pacific (APAC), GSMA, said,

“A connected population is the basic ingredient for a Digital Nation. Which flows digital economic growth, empowered industry and entrepreneurs and improved livelihoods for every citizen. We must accept the need for every person to have access to a smartphone. Commend Kistpay and the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication for their audacious commitment to providing smartphones to every Pakistani.

Major General (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa, Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), praised Kistpay. The GSMA’s efforts to close the smartphone affordability gap in his keynote remarks. Noting that it is a significant obstacle to the adoption of mobile internet. He further said that improved access to smartphones will increase access to information which will create micro-entrepreneurs and reduce poverty.

Syed Asif Jafri, CEO of Kistpay, spoke at the event’s opening and emphasized the difficulties that the majority of Pakistanis face.  Mr. Asif Jafri added, “Kistpay will enable many millions of disconnected users for digital and financial inclusion. So that they can enjoy the benefits of a digitally connected life.”

Digitally Connected Pakistan

Leading smartphone manufacturers and startups, including Nokia, Xiaomi, SehatKahani, JazzCash, and Chickoo. To name a few, took part in the technology exhibition and displayed their goods and services. All of which aimed to connect Pakistan to the internet.

Participants of the event expressed great interest in these products and services, and it paved the way for future partnerships. Further, The exhibition was followed by panel discussions on enabling handset affordability with leading industry experts including Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO of Telenor, Hatem Bamatraf, President and CEO of PTCL Group, Jeanette Whyte, Head of Public Policy, APAC, GSMA, Asif Aziz, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Jazz and Asadullah Khan Niazi, as well as, Chief of Monitoring and Strategy, Universal Service Fund (USF) discussed the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities of different sectors of the economy & suggested the way forward to increase smartphone affordability, digital connectivity and upscaling e-commerce in Pakistan.

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