Telecommunications companies expressed their frustration with their exclusion from the recently announced electricity tariff, despite the granting of the industry situation in 2004, where Prime Minister Shaybaz Sharif revealed 7.41 rupees per unit of discounts for local consumers and 7.69 rupees per industry unit, and let the telecommunications sector disappear due to the relief package.
Companies argue that their long -term rejection of the advantages of the industrial situation continues to hinder their ability to reduce operating costs.
Speaking to the media, Kamal Ahmed, Secretary -General of the TOA, said, “The telecommunications sector has given the state of industry in 2004, yet we are still rejecting the corresponding benefits.”
He stressed that the failure to reduce the customs tariff for the main communications infrastructure, such as cell towers and data centers, is a large cost burden. He added: “The tariff of industrial electricity will significantly reduce our operating costs.”
Telecommunications companies also raised cases with the current tax system, and urged the government to exempt them from blocking tax obligations under the income tax law (ITO) 2001.
According to TOA, the current system increases compliance costs and suffocates industry growth. The sector also called for the contrary to the change under the 2015 Finance Law, which imposed a fixed fixed tax of 4 % on telecommunications companies instead of allowing taxes on the basis of actual profits.
In addition, TOA urged the government to stop forced tax enforcement measures, such as freezing bank accounts and sealing offices, which they believe should only apply to usual faltering. The association also emphasized the need for a more fair tax structure that supports growth instead of imposing arbitrary and arbitrary rates.
With the federal government ready for the fiscal year 2025-26, the telecommunications industry is paid for urgent reforms to address the increasing financial and regulatory challenges it faces.
This includes targeted tax relief for telecommunications employees, who are increasingly burdened by increased taxes and inflation, making it difficult to keep skilled talents in this sector.
TOA also calls for a reduction in income tax under Article 236 and the rate of federal consumption tax (FED) from 19.5 % to 16 %.
Kamal Ahmed said: “Reducing these rates would support digital growth and long -term economic integration, without reducing government revenues.”
