ISLAMABAD: Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the cellular companies namely including Mobilink, Zong, Telenor and Ufone called on Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and discussed issues related to taxes on account of auction for 3G/4G spectrum at the Finance Ministry.
On the occasion, Mr Dar greeted the winners of the spectrum auction, saying that the government would provide all necessary guidance and assistance to reap the benefits of new technology just rolled out in the country.
He said we are satisfied that the auction process was completed in the best transparent manner duly recognised globally and the country was now moving towards the development of necessary infrastructure, which would result in the creation of 900,000 jobs opportunities in the next few years.
Dar said that it was mandatory that the cellular service operators had to pay 10 percent advance tax under Section 236A of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 on the auction sale price of the spectrum. The telecom companies expressed their agreement to follow the law and make payments due under the law. He said we want to facilitate international investors and provide them an environment which is conducive to economic activity in the country.
The finance minster hoped that the cellular companies would work for telecommunication Development in the country. He emphasised on developing areas like e-health, e-commerce and e-education and many more other fields.
The CEOs expressed their appreciation for transparency and fairness during the whole process and said that it will contribute technological resources to Pakistan’s socio-economic sectors. The Federal Finance Secretary, the PTA Chairman, the FBR Chairman and senior officials of the Finance Ministry were also present in the meeting.
