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KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has warned harsh punishment including three years jail terms for persons tempering communication devices.
The regulator on Friday warned that under prevailing law persons engaged in any unlawful activity such as tempering or altering communication equipment would be liable to harsh penalties.
Section 18 of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 explains penalties for tempering or altering communication devices.
18. Tampering, etc. of communication equipment.- Whoever unlawfully or without authorization changes, alters, tampers with or re-programs unique devices identifier of any communication equipment including a cellular or wireless handset and starts using or marketing such device for transmitting and receiving information shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to one million rupees or with both.
The Act explains that a unique device identifier is an electronic equipment identifier which is unique to a communication device.
KARACHI: Enfrashare Pakistan Private Limited and Telenor Pakistan, one of Pakistan’s top mobile network operators, have signed an agreement to develop connectivity infrastructure, a statement said on Tuesday.
KARACHI: Pakistani nationals have spent Rs42.4 billion for import of mobile phones in three months despite challenging economic conditions.
The import of mobile phones registered 71.5 percent growth to Rs42.4 billion during first quarter (July – September) of fiscal year 2019/2020 as compared with Rs24.72 billion in the corresponding period of the last year, official statistics revealed.
It is interesting to note that the surge in import of mobile phones has been witnessed when the economy is facing challenges and imports of other things are on declining trend.
Sources in Pakistan Customs said that the substantial increase in mobile phones was due to anti-smuggling measures taken by the government.
They said that now a mobile phone would have active network only when it was verified through a system introduced by Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA).
The sources said that mobile devices are required to verify their IMEI through phone registration system of the PTA otherwise such phones would not have connections of existing cellular networks in the country.
The source said that in the past a huge number of mobile phones were brought in the country without paying duty and taxes. But now those mobile that were not offered for registration would not be activated.
The sources further attributed the sharp increase in value to massive decline in rupee value.
In dollar term the import of mobile phones posted 35 percent increase to $269 million during first quarter of current fiscal year as compared with $199 million in the same period of the last fiscal year.
The import of mobile phones in September 2019 witnessed even more sharp increase of 69 percent in dollar term and 113 percent in Pak Rupee term.
In term of Rupees the country imported mobile phones worth Rs16.48 billion in September 2019 as compared with Rs7.73 billion in the same month of the last year.
KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL) on Wednesday declared 14.33 percent growth in profit after tax for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019.
The company announced profit after tax of Rs5.46 billion during January – September 2019 as compared with Rs4.78 billion in the same period of the last year.
The company announced Rs1.07 as earnings per share (EPS) for the period under review as compared with Rs0.94 EPS of the same period in last year.
The total revenue of the company was flat at Rs43.774 billion in January – September 2019 as compared with Rs53.55 billion in the corresponding period of the last year.
PTCL posted gross profit of Rs13.179 billion during nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 as compared with Rs13.721 billion in the same period of the last year.
The administrative, general and selling/marketing expenses of the company were at Rs8.73 billion during January – September 2019 as compared with Rs8.478 billion in the same period of the last year.
Other income of the company increased to Rs3.82 billion as compared with Rs2.18 billion.
The profit before tax for the period was at Rs8.03 billion as compared with Rs6.927 billion in the same period of the last year.
KARACHI: Zong 4G, Pakistan’s leading telecommunication network, has entered into a strategic partnership with Enfrashare Private Limited, a leading connectivity infrastructure provider.
The partnership will support Zong 4G’s expansion of its largest 4G network of country to provide better coverage and an unrivaled subscriber experience, said a statement on Monday.
With more than 12,000 4G sites across Pakistan, Zong 4G is the country’s leading 4G network with over 13 Million 4G subscribers.
The company is at the forefront of digital revolution, empowering people from all walks of life to experience best-in-class digital experience.
Enfrashare, with its expertise and investment in connectivity infrastructure, allows Mobile Operators to reduce the cost of access to consumers.
Owned by one of the largest groups in Pakistan (Engro Corp), Enfrashare was formed with the vision to help enhance digital connectivity throughout the country. It aims to engage with all stakeholders in telecom’s ecosystem in order to realize their goal of digitizing the nation.
Commenting on the partnership Zong 4G’s Spokesperson said: “Zong 4G is committed in its ambition of building the digital Ecosystem of Pakistan. In a bid to further augment the user experience, Zong 4G has partnered with Enfrashare to further expand its network outreach.
“Our customers experience is our first priority, and through this partnership our customers will benefit directly from our state-of-the-art mobile network for a seamless digital experience.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Rehan Hassan from Enfrashare, stated, “Enfrashare firmly believes that connectivity is a basic human need, it is the conduit that enables social and financial inclusion.
“We are very proud of what we have accomplished in a short span of time, since our inception last year. This agreement allows us to work with one of the most respected operators in the country to provide enhanced solutions.
“Enfrashare’s vision goes beyond just towers to enable broader connectivity, and encompasses all necessary components including towers, fiber, energy and more. This partnership marks the beginning of a new journey, where the two key members of telecom’s ecosystem will bring together their expertise and enhance the country’s connectivity.”
Zong 4G’scollaboration with Enfrashare affirms both companies’ vision and commitment to enhance the connectivity infrastructure landscape in the country as well as complements the ambition of building a Digital Pakistan.
KARACHI: Pak Telecom Mobile Limited – Ufone and Habib Bank Limited (HBL) have signed a landmark agreement, through which HBL has extended a bilateral Trade Finance in Chinese Yuan (RMB/CNY) for the import of cellular network equipment through Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, a statement said on Friday.
The Landmark agreement is part of one of the largest RMB/CNY contracts in the history of Pakistan between Ufone and Huawei Technologies Co Ltd., and it would furthermore be a breakthrough in the banking industry of the country.
The trade deal under this new mode of transaction will set a precedent for different sectors and corporations in both friendly countries—China and Pakistan—which plan to take their working relationship to the next level through this currency swap agreement.
This transaction would also ease off the pressure of import bills in terms of dollars for Pakistan.
The business deal being carried out by Ufone, Huawei and HBL will be the first of its kind in the telecom sector, and will also pave the way for various other mobile operators and traders in Pakistan to expand their businesses through this mode of trade finance facility.
The agreement was signed by Mohammad Nadeem Khan, Chief Financial Officer PTCL & Ufone and Farhan Talib, Head Corporate and Investment Banking, HBL.
The ceremony was witnessed by Rashid Khan, President and CEO PTCL & Ufone, Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO HBL, Chi Linchun, CEO Huawei Pakistan and Yang Yougui, Regional President Huawei Middle East.
ISLAMABAD: Special Communications Organization (SCO), the largest Integrated Telecom Service Provider in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Ufone have signed a Bilateral Roaming Services Agreement at PTCL headquarters, Islamabad.
The ceremony was attended by Major General Amir Azeem Bajwa (Retired) HI (M), Chairman PTA; Major General Ali Farhan HI (M), Director General SCO; Rashid Khan, President & CEO, PTCL & Ufone and senior officials from both sides.
With this agreement, Ufone has become the only mobile operator to offer Data service in addition to Voice and SMS services to SCO subscribers in Pakistan and SCO will also offer Roaming Voice & SMS services in AJ&K and GB to Ufone subscribers.
It is pertinent to note that Ufone and SCO are already in an agreement since 2008, under which, SCO subscribers have been enjoying Voice and SMS Roaming services in Pakistan.
This development is also seen as stimulating economic activity, as enhanced communication capability improves efficiency and productivity, resulting in cost savings and spurs growth of business.
“SCO can now proudly claim that it has the most advanced network, providing state-of-the-art mobile services to its valued customers,” said Major General Ali Farhan HI (M), DG SCO.
“Ufone is a highly innovative company in the field of telecommunications in Pakistan and I am sure that the biggest beneficiaries of this alliance will be the citizens living in Pakistan, AJ&K and GB,” he added.
“Our strategic alliance is a win-win situation for both partners and even more importantly, for the customers,” said Mr Rashid Khan, President and CEO PTCL & Ufone.
“This alliance will make sure that resource sharing benefits both organizations and offers superior products and services to the public, improving their quality of life,” he further added.
KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has updated sales tax rates on import or local supply of mobile phones to be applicable for Tax Year 2020 (July 01, 2019 to June 30, 2020).
The FBR issued Sales Tax Act, 1990 updated up to June 30, 2019 incorporating changes brought through Finance Act, 2019.
The FBR updated NINTH SCHEDULE of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 to prescribe sales tax rates on mobile phones.
The Table:
S.No.
Description/ Specification of goods
Sales Tax on import or local supply
Sales tax chargeable at the time of registration (IMEI number by CMOs)
Sales tax on supply (payable at the time of supply by CMOs)
1.
Subscriber Identification
Module (SIM) Cards
Rs250
2
Cellular mobile phones or satellite phones to be charged on the basis of import value per set, or equivalent value in rupees in case of supply by the manufacturer, at the rate as indicated against each category:–
A. Not exceeding US$ 30
Rs135
Rs135
B. Exceeding US$ 30 but not exceeding US$ 100
Rs1,320
Rs1,320
C. Exceeding US$ 100 but not exceeding US$ 200
Rs1,680
Rs1,680
D. Exceeding US$ 200 but not exceeding US$ 350
Rs1,740
Rs1,740
E. Exceeding US$ 350 but not exceeding US$ 500
Rs5,400
Rs5,400
F. Exceeding US$ 500
Rs9,270
Rs9,270
LIABILITY, PROCEDURE AND CONDITIONS
(i) In case of the goods specified against S.No 1of the Table, the liability to charge, collect and pay tax shall be on the Cellular Mobile Operator (CMO) at the time of supply. In case of the goods specified against S.No 2, the liability to pay sales tax at the time of import shall be on the importer, and the liability to charge, collect and pay sales tax payable on supplies shall be on the Cellular Mobile Operator at the time of registering International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number in his system.
(ii) The Cellular Mobile Operators shall, if not already registered, obtain registration under the Sales Tax Act, 1990.
(iii) No IMEI shall be registered in his system by a Cellular mobile Operator without charging and collecting the sales tax as specified in the Table. (iv) The Cellular Mobile Operator shall deposit the sales tax so collected through his monthly tax return in the manner prescribed in section 26 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and rules made thereunder.
(v) The Cellular Mobile Operator shall maintain proper records of all IMEI numbers registered for a period of six years, and such records shall be produced for inspection, audit or verification, as and when required, by an authorized officer of Inland Revenue.
(vi) The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority shall provide data regarding IMEI numbers registered with other Cellular Mobile Operators to prevent double taxation on the same IMEI number in case of switching by a subscriber from one operator to another, and to provide data regarding registration of IMEI numbers to the Board on monthly basis.
(via) The sales tax as indicated in column (3) of the Table above shall be paid by the importer, in case of imports and by the manufacturer, in case of locally manufactured cellular mobile phones.
(vii) No adjustment of input tax shall be admissible to the Cellular Mobile Operator or any purchaser of cellular mobile phone against the sales tax charged and paid in terms of this Schedule.
(viii) The tax specified in column (4) of the Table shall be charged, collected and paid with effect from such date as may be specified by the Board and the sales tax specified in column(3) shall stand withdrawn from the date so specified.
The FBR said that notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the levy, collection and payment of sales tax under Notification No. S.R.O. 460(I)/2013, dated the 30th May, 2013, shall be deemed to always have been lawfully and validly, levied, collected and paid.
ISLAMABAD: Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Peshawar has announced public auction of confiscated mobile phones to be held on September 27, 2019 at State Warehouse.
Following mobile phones will be offered for the auction:
01. 55 pieces of SAMSUNG GALAXY CORE 2 DUOS (22 pieces) and SAMSUNG GALAXY J1 (33 pieces)
02. 53 pieces SAMSUNG GALAXY J1 (23pieces) and SAMSUNG GALAXY CORE 2 DUOS (30 pieces).
03. 1987 pieces of Q 3310 Mini Mobile Phones.
04. 8 pieces of Q Mobile D4 Phone.
05. 45 pieces of SAMSUNG MOBILE PHONE (J56SM-J510-F/DS).
06. 800 pieces of Voice Mobile Phone V-105 (580 pieces), V-840 (60 pieces) and V-2426 (160 pieces).
07. Total 04 pieces of NOKIA (107) Mobile Phone (02 pieces), G Five (Model 1226)=01-No & Q Mobile (H50) =01-No.
08. Total 174 pieces of Q MOBILE (L9)
09. 14 pieces of Q MOBILE Phone (L7).
10. 06 pieces of Q MOBILE Phone XL3000 =01-No & Q Mbile E2000 PARTY=05-Nos.
11. Total 481 pieces of Nokia 1134 Mobile Phones =119-Nos, 1110 116-Nos, 1035 80-Nos, 944 45-Nos, 1136 62-Nos & 1133 59-Nos.
12. 05 pieces of Samsung Galaxy Alpha Mobile Phones =04-Nos and IPhone GSM=01-No.
KARACHI: Pakistan has imported mobile phones worth Rs26 billion during first two months of current fiscal year, which is 52.4 percent higher when compared with Rs16.98 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year.
The higher import of mobile phones can be attributed to massive depreciation of Pak Rupee during the comparative year and deterrence created against smuggled mobile phones.
According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) that rupee value converted into US Dollar on average monthly exchange rate provided by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The PBS said that the exchange rate for import value has been applied as: August 2019 (1$=RS.158.077024 ), July 2019 (1$=Rs.158.829694) and August 2018 (1$=Rs.123.789583).
On the other hand the mandatory registration through system introduced by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) also discouraged the influx of smuggle phones and resulted in high number of clearance through legal channels.
The PBS said that in terms of dollar the import of mobile phones registered 19.4 percent growth during the period under review.
The import of mobile phones was $163.484 million during July – August 2019 as compared with $136.91 million in the corresponding period of the last year.
The country imported mobile phones worth Rs13.47 billion in the month of August 2019, which is 61 percent higher when compared with Rs8.37 billion in the same month of last year.
The latest figures of August 2019 are also 8.38 percent higher when compared with Rs12.43 billion in July 2019.
