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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.

  • Mobile phone operators deduct only applicable tax rates: PTA

    Mobile phone operators deduct only applicable tax rates: PTA

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday said that the Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) are deducting only applicable rates of taxes after the restoration of levies by Supreme Court of Pakistan.

    In a statement, with reference to taxes applied on the recharge/reload of prepaid balance, the PTA said that the CMOs are deducting only withholding tax and general sales tax/federal excise duty on the prepaid recharge/reload after restoration of taxes by the Supreme Court of Pakistan from April 2019.

    The PTA said that on the recharge of Rs200 balance provided to the user is Rs177.778 (and not Rs152 as reported on the social media) after deduction of Rs22.22 against withholding tax at 12.5 percent.

    General Sales Tax at 19.5 percent is applied on per call, SMS, data usage basis or opting for any additional bundle/package.

    “When a user consumes its remaining balance of Rs177.778, a total of Rs29.01 as GST is charged,” the PTA said.

    In the same way, if a package is priced at Rs167 (without GST), the same, requires a prepaid balance of Rs199.56 (Price+GST=Rs167+Rs32.56). Due to lack of clarity on the deduction of GST in addition to withholding tax, mobile subscribers are assuming that CMOs are charging well above applicable taxes, which is not correct, the PTA said.

    The PTA further said that it had fixed a ceiling on call setup charges at Re 0.15 per call. PTA is vigilant about the rates/tariffs being charged by CMOs and action will be initiated on any reported incidence of charging above the published tariffs and applicable taxes in accordance with the law, it added.

  • PTA asks TikTok to block immoral content

    PTA asks TikTok to block immoral content

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has asked administration of TikTok platform to block/remove immoral and vulgar content for viewership in Pakistan.

    In a statement issued on Thursday, the telecom authority asked TikTok platform to immediately block vulgar, inducement, immoral, nude content for viewership in Pakistan.

    The PTA has done so keeping in view the negative effects of indecent/immoral/nude content available on the platform.

    The PTA has approached TikTok to immediately ensure blocking of objectionable contect and to prevent the usage of its platform for disseminating illegal content.

    In addition, the platform has been directed to put in place an effective content monitoring and moderation mechanism to proactively remove indecent/ immoral content failing which necessary action will be taken under the law.

  • Mobile phones worth Rs51.24 billion imported in July – August

    Mobile phones worth Rs51.24 billion imported in July – August

    KARACHI: The country has imported mobile phones worth Rs51.24 billion during first two months of current fiscal year due to rising digital services in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.

    The import of mobile phone grew by 98 percent to Rs51.24 billion during July – August 2020 as compared with Rs25.9 billion in the same period of the last year.

    Industry sources said that demand of mobile phones grew significantly during the lockdown for various purposes including financial services.

    The import of mobile phones was Rs32.45 billion August 2020 as compared with Rs13.47 billion in the same month of the last year, showing 97 percent growth.

    The import of mobile phone in terms of US dollar also registered 87.37 percent increase to $306.38 million during first two months of current fiscal year as compared with $163.52 million in the corresponding months of the last fiscal year.

  • Mobile phones worth Rs24.7 billion imported in July 2020

    Mobile phones worth Rs24.7 billion imported in July 2020

    KARACHI: The country has imported mobile phones worth Rs24.7 billion in the month of July 2020, which is almost double than the import value in the same month of the last year, official data revealed.

    According to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Wednesday the import of mobile phone increased by 98 percent as the country imported mobile phone worth Rs12.42 billion in the same month of the last year.

    The import value in US dollar term was $148 million in July 2020 as compared with $78.29 million in the corresponding month of the last year, showing an increase of 89 percent.

    Market sources attributed the rise in import of mobile phones to huge demand during lockdown and after ease in lockdown due to rising financial transactions through mobile phones.

    They also attributed the significant growth in rupee term due to depreciation of local currency. The average exchange rate in July 2020 was at Rs166.76 to the dollar as compared with Rs158.82 to the dollar in July 2019.

    Further, the market sources said that the government has provided relief through duty and taxes on import of mobile phones to promote financial inclusion.

  • PTA lifts ban on PUBG

    PTA lifts ban on PUBG

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Thursday lifted ban on PUBG game after a meeting with representative of the company.

    The PTA in a statement said that a meeting was held between PTA and legal representatives of Proxima Beta Pte Ltd (PB).

    The PB representatives briefed the authority on response to queries raised by the PTA with respect to controls put in place by PB to prevent misuse of the gaming platform.

    The authority expressed its satisfaction on measures adopted by the PB so far, and emphasized on continued engagement and a comprehensive control mechanism.

    The representative of the company welcomed PTA’s feedback on the issue and assured that the concerns of the PTA would be taken into account. In addition, the company requested PTA to unban PUBG.

    “Keeping in view the positive engagement and response of the company, the authority has decided to unban PUBG,” according to the statement.

    On July 27, 2020 the PTA issued a detailed order regarding blocking of online game PUBG. The order was issued in accordance with Islamabad High Court’s order after a hearing conducted by PTA on July 9 and in accordance with the provisions of PECA 2016.

    The PTA in the statement said that it had provided an opportunity of hearing to concerned parties including PUBG’s lawyers. As per the order of the authority, the PUBG game shall remained blocked in Pakistan.

    The PTA had also approached PUBG management to inform about a suitable framework to address key concerns. No response was received from PUBG.

    Related News

    PTA suspends PUBG

  • PTA blocks Bigo, warns Tik Tok for vulgar content

    PTA blocks Bigo, warns Tik Tok for vulgar content

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Monday blocked social media Bigo and issued final warning to Tik Tok on complaints of obscene and vulgar content.

    The PTA said that it had received number of complaints from different segment of the society against immoral, obscene and vulgar content on social media applications particularly Tik Tok and Bigo, and their extremely negative effects on the society in general and youth in particular.

    The PTA had issued necessary notices to the aforementioned social media companies under law to moderate the socialization and content within legal and moral limits, in accordance with the laws of the country. “However, the response of these companies has not been satisfactory,” the PTA added.

    “Therefore, in exercise of its powers under PECA, PTA has decided to immediately block Bigo and issue final warning to Tik Tok to put in place a comprehensive mechanism to control obscenity, vulgarity and immorality through its social media application.”

  • Pakistan spends Rs217 billion on import of mobile phones in FY20

    Pakistan spends Rs217 billion on import of mobile phones in FY20

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has spent Rs217 billion on import of mobile phones during fiscal year 2019/2020 amid slow economy and outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.

    The import of mobile phones was Rs217 billion during fiscal year 2019/2020 as compared with Rs102.75 billion in the preceding fiscal year, showing 81 percent growth, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

    Market sources said that reduction in duty and taxes and restriction of registration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has increased the import of mobile phones through legal channels.

    The import of mobile phones in terms of US Dollars also increased to $1.4 billion during the fiscal year under review as compared with $755.55 million in the preceding fiscal year.

    Despite imposition of lockdown in the country to prevent coronavirus, the country imported mobile phones worth Rs38.2 billion in June 2020, which is 115 percent higher when compared with Rs17.78 billion in May 2020.

    The market sources said that due to lockdown the importance of digital economy had increased. They said that financial transactions were being done through mobile phones, which were the easiest way.

  • TPL Trakker to use Telenor’s location based services

    TPL Trakker to use Telenor’s location based services

    KARACHI: TPL Trakker and Telenor Pakistan have signed an agreement under which Telenor Pakistan will provide location base services (LBS).

    TPL Trakker powers the technology via TPL Maps, the company’s mapping arm and Pakistan’s first digital mapping service licensed by the Survey of Pakistan, a statement said on Thursday.

    Using LBS, Telenor Pakistan will make use of the most detailed and localized location dataset ever offered in Pakistan. Following the partnership, Telenor Pakistan will have access to data covering 600,000 km of road network, 3 million points of interest (POIs), which will enable the telecom operator to offer tailored products and solutions for B2B customers as per their needs.

    The move is in line with TPL Trakker’s vision to create value for different industry verticals through digital transformation, enhancing connectivity between people, mobile assets and businesses.

    This will pave the way for Mobile Network Operators to venture into diverse location-centric solutions adding to the rising popularity of TPL’s cutting edge mapping and automation API solutions for apps.

    Speaking on the collaboration, Sarwar Ali Khan, CEO, TPL Trakker said, “TPL has developed indigenous Location Based Services to fuel the rapid growth of technology companies in Pakistan. Mobile Network Operators are ingrained in the national economy and they rely heavily on cutting-edge location data and services. We expect closer collaboration with each player for our Location Based Services as we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with one of Pakistan’s leading Mobile Network Operators.”

    With a plan to accelerate the growth of the telecommunication services industry, the two companies will create a modern, value-driven and globally competitive Pakistan.

  • PTA suspends PUBG

    PTA suspends PUBG

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Wednesday suspended online gaming application namely PUBG with immediate effect due to adverse effect on children health.

    According to a statement issued by the authority it had received complaints from different segments of society. Therefore, it has been decided to suspend the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) game.

    The PTA has received numerous complaints against PUBG wherein it is stated that the game is addictive, wastage of time and poses serious negative impact on physical and psychological health of the Children.

    The authority noted that cases of suicide attribute to PUBG game were reported. The Lahore High Court (LHC) has also directed PTA to look into the issue and decide the matter after hearing the complaints. In this regard, a hearing is being conducted on July 09, 2020.

    The authority also decided to solicit views of the public with reference to the said online game. In this regard public is encouraged to provide feedback through [email protected] by July 10, 2020.

  • Ufone awarded Rs518 million next generation broadband projects

    Ufone awarded Rs518 million next generation broadband projects

    ISLAMABAD: Universal Service Fund on Monday awarded contracts to PMTL (Ufone) for Next Generation Broadband for Sustainable Development Projects in Balochistan worth Rs518 million.

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