Pkrevenue.com

Category: IT & Telecom

Explore IT and Telecom stories with Pakistan Revenue, your go-to source for the latest updates on Pakistan’s technology and telecom sector. Stay ahead with real-time industry insights and economic developments.

  • PM inaugurates special technology zone authority

    PM inaugurates special technology zone authority

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said special technology zone authority will serve to create a space for foreign investors.

    At the launching ceremony of Special Technology Zone Authority (STZA), the prime minister said that the authority would serve to create a space for foreign investors, indigeneous companies and educational and training institutes to collaborate for Information Technology driven industrial revolution in Pakistan.

    Amer Ahmed Hashmi has been appointed the Chairman of the Authority who on the occasion lauded the Prime Minister for taking personal interest in prioritization of STZA’s establishment.

    The launch marks the beginning of an era of dedicated and integrated national knowledge-based ecosystem in Pakistan.

    The specific mandate of STZA is to lead the development of Special Technology Zones (STZs) in the country. The zones will help increase high-tech exports of Pakistan and facilitate technology transfer from major global Science and Technology hubs.

    Chairman STZA said that the zones will foster skills development, job creation, technology transfer and new economic value generation.

    Industrial clusters formation has not only led to rapid industrialization and social development of countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, but have become the global best practice for high-speed growth and development.

    The Prime Minister said that collaborative efforts and correct course of comprehensive national development through these STZs will lead to the utilization of the immense potential of the youth of Pakistan.

  • PTCL signs deal to launch Avaya Spaces

    PTCL signs deal to launch Avaya Spaces

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) will launch Avaya Spaces, the all-in-one workstream collaboration app for the digital workplace, for the first time in Pakistan. In this regard the PTCL has signed a partnership agreement with Avaya Holdings Corp (NYSE: AVYA).

    The partnership will enable organizations to implement blended and flexible environment for their employees, a statement said on Thursday.

    In collaboration with PTCL, Avaya will provide free, full-feature access for a limited time to customers in Pakistan. Avaya Spaces is an all-in-one video meeting and workstream collaboration platform for the digital workplace that changes the way as work gets done in nearly 100 countries.

    It helped businesses, schools, governments and other organizations to bring together distributed groups of people instantly with immersive workspaces where they can message, meet, share content, manage tasks and collaborate in the Cloud.

    Speaking on the occasion, Chief Business Services Officer, PTCL Zarrar Hasham Khan said, “We are continuously working towards empowering organizations within Pakistan and supporting the vision of a Digital Pakistan.

    In the present circumstances, where most of the organizations are offering flexible working environment, our partnership with Avaya is the step in the right direction.

    Not only that, such solutions are much needed in the educational sector as it offers a more blended learning and working model.

    It will certainly create opportunities to streamline and support schools and universities as it introduces an innovative way to learn and deliver lectures.

    Speaking on the collaboration with PTCL, Director, Service Providers, Middle East, Africa & Asia, Avaya, Nour Al Atassi, said, “Globally our customers are leveraging Avaya Spaces to create the future digital workplace and to enable new and innovative education delivery models.

    With PTCL introducing solutions such as Avaya Spaces, Pakistan will be well on its way to achieving its digitalization goals.

    PTCL has already invested in an innovative and robust telecommunications network that is serving as an enabler of business continuity across the country. Together, we look forward to supporting the blended delivery of essential services with Avaya Spaces.”

    Avaya Spaces has seen significant growth since its introduction and has been an especially important solution for organizations addressing the challenges of COVID-19.

    At the peak of the pandemic, Avaya Spaces was offered for free to enable companies, schools, governments and organizations of all kinds to adapt to remote work and collaborate, stay connected and be productive while keeping employees safe.

    With support being offered by PTCL, one of the country’s leading ICT solution providers, Avaya Spaces will better enable local organizations to choose the right working models for themselves and their customers.

  • PTCL awarded optic fiber cable projects worth Rs3 billion

    PTCL awarded optic fiber cable projects worth Rs3 billion

    KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has been awarded two optic fiber cable projects worth Rs3 billion for providing connectivity in various districts of Sindh province.

    The Universal Service Fund (USF) has awarded two Optic Fiber Cable (OFC) project contracts worth approximately Rs3 billion to PTCL for providing connectivity in Ghotki, Kashmore, Sukkur & Khairpur districts at a special ceremony held at Governor House, Karachi, a statement said on Monday.

    Imran Ismail, Governor of Sindh was accompanied by Syed Amin Ul Haque, Federal Minister for Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication on the occasion.

    The contracts were signed by Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO, USF and Nadeem Khan, Acting CEO & Group Chief Financial Officer, PTCL.

    Senior officials of the Government of Sindh, Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, USF and PTCL were also present at the ceremony.

    On the occasion, Imran Ismail, Governor of Sindh said: “Today’s event marks another landmark achieved in the history of Pakistan and will go a long way in taking the developmental work being done by Government of Pakistan to a greater level. I am also hopeful that with the consistent efforts and spirits, Ministry of IT and Telecommunication will continue to undertake more challenging and productive programs in the future, for the promotion of IT and Telecommunication related services.

    “I would like to congratulate Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin ul Haque, the dynamic teams of USF & PTCL on award of these projects that have been designed to connect 372 Educational Institutions, 170 Health Facilities, 217 Government Offices and 131 Banks within 5 KM radius of the node.

    “I wish them all the very best for implementation of project objectives.”

    Imran Ismail said that these projects will not only provide a digital highway for seamless broadband coverage to people residing in Ghotki, Kashmore, Sukkur and Khairpur Districts but also improve the lives of people, create job opportunities for them and empower local communities.

    Syed Amin Ul Haque, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication while addressing on the occasion said: “I believe that Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, realizes the importance of information technology for the country as he envisioned Digital Pakistan and proved his commitment to turn this vision into reality.”

    Syed Amin ul Haque also lauded the great performance of Ministry of IT and Telecommunication and its affiliated organizations. Moreover, IT parks are being created across the country, along with Data Centers, policy on Cloud, cyber security, manufacturing of Smart phonesand much more.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Nadeem Khan, Acting CEO & Group Chief Financial Officer, PTCL said: “Being the national carrier, PTCL is the backbone of country’s communication infrastructure and primary internet service provider. We serve people of Pakistan from large metropolitan cities to remote rural areas. We are glad to collaborate with USF for establishment and operation of optical fiber connectivity in Ghotki, Kashmore, Sukkur and Khairpur districts. Aligned with the vision of a Digital Pakistan, we are committed to play our role in supporting the underserved communities and empower them for a better future.”

    While sharing his views at the ceremony, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, CEO, USF said: “I take the opportunity to say here that all these achievements have only been possible due to constant efforts of the Government of Pakistan. Federal Minister and Secretary for IT and Telecommunication have been torch bearers of the vision for a “Digital Pakistan” and have enabled USF to transform the lives of people of the country. They have given us tremendous cooperation, help and support, without which all this could not be achieved.

  • PTCL license expires

    PTCL license expires

    KARACHI: The business operation license of Pakistan Communication Company Limited (PTCL) expired on December 31, 2020 and the company is in discussions with the regulator for the renewal, a statement said on Friday.

    According to a communication sent to Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the PTCL said that the integrated license was issued for 25 years effective from January 01, 1996 and valid under December 31, 2020.

    Therefore subsequent renewal was required effective form January 01, 2021.

    As per terms of PTCL license, PTCL initiated the renewal process by formally requesting Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on June 29, 2018 (30 months prior to the expiry / validity of the license).

    The PTA responded in affirmative through its letter dated October 01, 2018 that PTCL’s license will be renewed in accordance with the government policy prevalent at the time of renewal.

    “Therefore, in the interest of business continuity and operations, PTCL has sought permanent injunction on December 18, 2020 from the Sindh High Court at Karachi by way of filing Suit No. 2081/2020 wherein PTA is restrained from taking any adverse action against the PTCL on expiry of license on December 31, 2020 and not to interfere in the business of PTCL and the provision of services on the basis of license.”

    The company said that it was in discussions with the PTA and the federal government to finalize the terms and conditions of the renewed license. “PTCL is confident its license will be renewed at the earliest,” it added.

  • Pakistan pays Rs119.22 billion for import of mobile phones

    Pakistan pays Rs119.22 billion for import of mobile phones

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has paid Rs119.22 billion for import of mobile phones during the first five months (July – November) of 2020/2021 owing to high demand for online financial transactions in the wake of coronavirus.

    According to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the import of mobile phones surged by 53 percent to Rs119.22 billion during the first five months of the current fiscal year as compared with Rs78 billion in the corresponding months of the last fiscal year.

    Industry sources said that the import of mobile phones surged due to the coronavirus pandemic and people opted to make financial transactions through an online system.

    Further, they said the implementation of laws making it mandatory that only verified mobiles through Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to be activated for local services has also discouraged informal channels for import of mobile phones.

    They said that the depreciation of Pak Rupee had also an impact on the surge of mobile phone imports.

    The import of mobile phones in terms of dollar grew by 45 percent to $724 million during the first five months of the current fiscal year as compared with $498 million in the same period of the last fiscal year.

  • Taxes removed on locally manufactured mobile phones; ECC accords approval

    Taxes removed on locally manufactured mobile phones; ECC accords approval

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved removal of taxes on locally manufactured mobile phones.

    (more…)
  • Pakistan imports mobile phones worth Rs92.8 billion in four months

    Pakistan imports mobile phones worth Rs92.8 billion in four months

    KARACHI: Pakistan has imported mobile phones worth Rs92.8 billion during the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Wednesday.

    (more…)
  • ECC sets up committee to examine proposal of manufacturing SIM/smart cards

    ECC sets up committee to examine proposal of manufacturing SIM/smart cards

    ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Monday constituted a committee to examine a proposal for manufacturing of SIM/Smart-cards in the country.

    The meeting of the cabinet committee was chaired by Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh while among others it was attended by Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, SAPM on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood, SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Baber and Advisor to the PM for Institutional Reforms and Austerity Dr. Ishrat Hussain attended the meeting. Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr. Reza Baqir also participated through video link.

    In light of a summary presented by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication regarding manufacturing of SIMs/Smart-cards in Pakistan, after due deliberation, the chair directed to constitute a Committee to examine the proposal and present a report for a way forward within two weeks.

    The Committee would be chaired by the Minister of Industries and Production Hammad Azhar and would include representatives from the Ministry of IT & Telecom., FBR and Board of Investment (BOI).

    The ECC constituted a committee to decide a timeline for export of mango and kinnow after due consultation with the stakeholders.

    The committee consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R), according to press statement issued by the Finance Ministry here.

    The ECC approved budgetary allocation in favour of NITB for provision of ICT services at the Prime Minister’s Office for Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Programme for FY/2020-21 to the tune of Rs53 million as requested by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.

    The ECC gave concurrence to the proposal by the Petroleum Division, in principal, regarding allocation of gas from Bashar X-IST to third party up to 1.0 MMCFD.

    A summary was presented by the PIACL, Aviation Division before ECC regarding GOP cash support for the Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS). After thorough discussion, it was decided to approve, in principle, the voluntary separation from service scheme for PIA.

    The ECC also approved four separate Technical Supplementary Grants for the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Interior for various projects during current FY 2020-21.

    Related Stories

    ECC decides to propose increase in wheat support price to Rs1600

    Reduced rates of electricity, gas: ECC approves procedure for registration

  • Committee discusses unsold spectrum of next generation mobile services

    Committee discusses unsold spectrum of next generation mobile services

    ISLAMABAD: Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue on Thursday chaired a meeting of the advisory committee for the release of unsold spectrum of next generation mobile services (NGMS).

    Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry also participated in the meeting.

    The committee was briefed by Chairman PTA and Secretary, Ministry of Information Technology about the latest developments on the sale of available spectrum of next generation mobile services.

    The members of Frequency Allocation Board also shared their input on the subject.

    The committee was briefed that the process for hiring of the consultant for the sale of available spectrum would be completed within 60 days and report will be prepared and submitted before the committee accordingly.

    It is expected that the initial report will be ready by December 2020.

    The process for the sale of spectrum will follow after the hiring of the consultant and tentatively would be completed within this financial year.

    Adviser Finance, as Chairman of the Committee, directed to complete the task of the hiring of the consultant at the earliest.

    He also stated that the whole process of auction must be transparent and an officer may be designated to apprise the public about the progress regarding sale of spectrum on regular basis.

    The whole process would contribute towards strengthening and expanding communications / IT Services across the country, would create more job opportunities, and improve the ease of doing business.

    The next meeting of the Advisory Committee is expected to take place in December 2020.

  • Jazz pays Rs5 billion income tax liability on court order

    Jazz pays Rs5 billion income tax liability on court order

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Mobile Communication Limited (PMCL) – the operator of Mobilink / Jazz on Thursday paid an amount of Rs5 billion out of total Rs22 billion as tax demand created by Large Taxpayers Office (LTO) Islamabad.

    The payment has been made as per the directions of Islamabad High Court (IHC) order in Income Tax reference No. 32/2020 dated November 10, 2020.

    Earlier, the IHC allowed PMCL to deposit an amount of Rs5 billion against income tax liability.

    A division bench of the IHC in a hearing on November 10, 2020 granted the application of the petitioner i.e. PMCL to deposit Rs5 billion. The high court also granted interim relief to the petitioner and suspended notices sent to the applicant under Section 140 of the Income Tax Ordinance, till the next date of hearing i.e. December 02, 2020.

    During the proceedings the counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner was willing and ready to pay a sum of Rs5 billion.

    The counsel for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) submitted that the sum offered to be deposited by the petitioner was meager as compared to the total liability. The counsel submitted that the applicant is liable to pay a sum of Rs22 billion plus penalty etc.

    The LTO Islamabad last month initiated tax recovery of Rs25 billion from M/s. PMCL by sealing of its business premises.

    The LTO Islamabad took the action against the mobile operator as income tax amount Rs25.39 billion was outstanding against the defaulter.

    “The defaulter is refraining itself deliberately, dishonestly and without lawful excuse to discharge tax liability and thus causing huge loss to the national exchequer,” according to a notice of LTO Islamabad.

    While responding to the report, the PMCL issued the following statement:

    “Jazz is a law-abiding and responsible corporate citizen. Our contribution to Pakistan’s economy over the past 25 years is significant.

    “We have received a notice from FBR this afternoon. Jazz has made tax submissions based on legal interpretations of the tax owed. We will review and take measures under our legal obligations and will collaborate with all concerned institutions for an early resolution of this issue.”

    Related Stories

    — FBR initiates Rs25 billion tax recovery from Mobilink

    — Mobilink terms FBR recovery action as unfortunate