Muhammad Zohaib Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), has strongly criticized the abrupt and unconsulted blockage of internet services in the country amid the ongoing political situation.
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Telecom operators count losses as Internet shutdown takes a toll on Pakistan’s economy
In a dramatic turn of events, the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan has plunged Pakistan into a state of turmoil, triggering massive protests across the nation.
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Pakistan vows to provide affordable internet, meaningful connectivity
Pakistan is committed to work for affordable internet, universal and meaningful connectivity and close global and regional cooperation, said Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque.
He was addressing the Ministerial Rountable Conference (ITUPP 2022) in Bucharest, Romania on Sunday.
The minister said the government of Pakistan through its Universal Service Fund initiative is running diverse telecom infrastructure and services programs that are playing a pivotal role in providing high-speed Internet to unserved, underserved & hardest-to-connect communities.
The subsidy driven programs are accelerating digital transformation and are empowering marginal communities to ease into digital ecosystem, with special emphasis on gender inclusivity, he added. During last four years we have contracted 79 new projects worth over 266 Million USD to provide coverage to 28 million people, he added.
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He said the government of Pakistan also intends to provide not only a conducive environment but to drive both the demand and supply sides of the ecosystem, hence creating an image of a globally competitive and prosperous country that provides a high quality of life for all its citizens.
As part of our digital transformation journey, the government is targeting an ambitious slogan “Smartphone for All”. It is pursuing a multipronged implementation strategy.
This will range from nascent policy interventions for creating a harmonized regulatory environment to digital awareness and skills development programs for harnessing a culture of indigenous research and innovation, he added.
Moreover, for augmented, seamless and transparent delivery of government to government/business/citizen services, we are implementing a comprehensive smart government ecosystem, which is helping us to consolidate our resources and efforts for achieving the public service delivery, efficiently and effectively, Syed Amin Ul Haque said.
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The Federal Minister for IT said the government of Pakistan has a strong vision to empower talented youth of Pakistan by providing opportunities where they can embark on entrepreneurship as a career.
For this purpose, Government is providing an enabling environment to talented youth by establishing tech-based National Incubation Centers (NIC), he said.
During last year, Pakistani startup space caught the global attention of renowned investors & VC firms and attracted record highest ever investments with 275 per cent increase, he said.
About recent floods in Pakistan and climate changes, the Federal Minister for IT said despite being lowest on global carbon emission ranking, Pakistan is one of the largest affectees of climate changes in the world. Recent floods in the country have been devastating and the havoc left behind is out of realm of imagination, he added.
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Tax rates on mobile phone, internet users during 2022-2023
KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued amended income tax law to notify the tax rates on users of mobile phones and internet during 2022-2023.
FBR issued Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 updated up to June 30, 2022 incorporating changes made through the Finance Act, 2022.
READ MORE: FBR launches campaign to ensure return filing by due date
The revenue body collects these taxes under Section 236 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
Under this section, in the case of telephone subscriber (other than mobile phone subscriber) where the amount of monthly bill exceeds Rs1,000, then the tax rate shall be 10 per cent of the exceeding amount of bill.
Similarly, in the case of subscriber of internet, mobile telephone and pre-paid internet or telephone card, the tax rate shall be 15 per cent of the amount of bill or sales price of internet pre-paid card or pre-paid telephone card or sale of units through any electronic medium or whatever form.
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According to the Section 236: Telephone and internet users.- (1) Advance tax at the rates specified in Division V Part IV of the First Schedule shall be collected on the amount of –
(a) telephone bill of a subscriber;
(b) prepaid cards for telephones;
(c) sale of units through any electronic medium or whatever form; and
(d) internet bill of a subscriber; and
(e) prepaid cards for internet.
(2) The person preparing the telephone or internet bill shall charge advance tax under sub-section (1) in the manner telephone or internet charges are charged.
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(3) The person issuing or selling prepaid cards for telephones or internet shall collect advance tax under sub-section (1) from the purchasers at the time of issuance or sale of cards.
(3A) The person issuing or selling units through any electronic medium or whatever form shall collect advance tax under sub-section (1) from the purchaser at the time of issuance of sale of units.
(4) Advance tax under this section shall not be collected from Government, a foreign diplomat, a diplomatic mission in Pakistan, or a person who produces a certificate from the Commissioner that his income during the tax year is exempt from tax.
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Tax rates on usage of telephone and internet
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collects withholding income tax on telephone and internet usage under Section 236 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
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Fault in international internet cable, PTA makes alternate arrangements
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Friday said that an international internet cable fault has been reported. However, alternate arrangements to the users have been made, the PTA added.
In a statement it said, in the wake of a fault in one of the international cables landing in Pakistan, alternate arrangements to provide uninterrupted internet services to the users have been made by relevant service providers through obtaining additional bandwidth.
Trans World Associates (TEA) has earlier communicated service degradation on the international connectivity towards Europe on SMW5 cable system due to subsea fault near Abu Talat, Egypt. Work is underway to rectify the fault however it may take some time until the fault is removed completely.
PTA is monitoring the situation and will continue to update on it.
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PTCL upgrades network services in seven cities
KARACHI: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has transformed 13 more exchanges in 7 cities as part of its Network Transformation Project (NTP).
The upgraded exchanges include Ghakhar, Vaniawala and Pasroor Road exchanges in Gujranwala, Shahdara, Egerton Road and Bahria Town exchanges in Lahore, Chaklala & Islamabad Town exchanges in Islamabad, Charsadda Road & Cantt. exchanges in Peshawar, Sargodha Road exchange in Faisalabad, Wah Cantt. exchange in Rawalpindi and Kharian exchange in Kharian.
Through PTCL’s new network, customers can experience a faster and more reliable internet based on the company’s enhanced copper network, along with a new fiber network. The upgraded exchanges under NTP have already resulted in a 40% reduction of customer complaints.
Jahanzeb Taj, Chief Business Operating Officer, PTCL, said, “Under NTP, PTCL has invested considerably in transforming and upgrading its top 100 exchanges, which have the highest number of customers in major cities.
“As a result, customers can now experience a quality network that offers high speed unlimited internet, state-of-the-art technology, seamless surfing and unlimited data streaming, all of which is vital in today’s digitally connected world.”
PTCL customers can view the upgraded exchanges through company’s official website and subscribe to 8, 15, 25, 50 and 100 mbps unlimited internet packages offered in transformed exchanges with free PTCL calls, unlimited downloads, free PTCL Smart TV & Smart TV App and free Wi-Fi router.
The company is striving to provide better services and improved network quality to customers’ fora truly digital lifestyle.
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PM task force proposes zero percent income tax on internet
Islamabad – In a move aimed at promoting the information technology (IT) industry in Pakistan, the Prime Minister’s Task Force has proposed the elimination of income tax on internet services.
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