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Category: IT & Telecom

IT & Telecom news covering technology trends, digital innovation, telecom updates, software, hardware, and the latest developments in the tech industry.

  • Import of mobile phones allowed Rs23.15 billion as tax concession

    Import of mobile phones allowed Rs23.15 billion as tax concession

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued details of sales tax concessions to the tune of Rs23.15 billion granted on import mobile phones.

    The FBR issued the cost of allowing reduced rate of sales tax on the import of cellular phones during fiscal year 2020.

    FBR sources said that the beneficiaries of sales tax concessions were importer and general public.

    Following table explains head wise cost of sales tax concession on import different type of mobile phones;

    S. No.Value of mobile phonesSales tax concession
    1Cellular mobile phones (not exceeding US$ 30)Rs2,424 million
    2Cellular mobile phones (exceeding US$ 30 but not exceeding US$ 100)Rs 10,032 million
    3Cellular mobile phones (exceeding US$ 100 but not exceeding US$ 200)Rs5,764 million
    4Cellular mobile phones (exceeding US$ 200 but not exceeding US$ 350)Rs 1,239 million
    5Cellular mobile phones (exceeding US$ 350 but not exceeding US$ 500)Rs 56 million
    6Cellular mobile phones (Exceeding US$ 500)Rs 731 million
    7Cellular mobile phones (PTA – DIRBS)Rs2,908 million
  • Mobile phone imports jump up 94 percent in July – September

    Mobile phone imports jump up 94 percent in July – September

    Pakistan’s mobile phone imports witnessed a significant surge of 94 percent during the first quarter (July–September) of the fiscal year 2020/2021, according to figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Saturday. The country imported mobile phones worth Rs82 billion in this period, a sharp rise from the Rs42 billion recorded in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year.

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  • IT Ministry, Microsoft to explore investment avenues

    IT Ministry, Microsoft to explore investment avenues

    ISLAMABAD: The ministry of Information Technology and Microsoft to explore avenues for investment in Pakistan to support employment generation.

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  • 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.