The telecom has pleaded with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to exempt 100 million to 200 million fines on telecom firms under FBR against non-filers.
The association seeks the withdrawal of 75 percent of the advanced tax on mobile services for non-filers, which was proposed in the Annual Budget 2024–25.
In the letter written by the Telecom Association to the Finance Department, it is said that the fines of Rs 100 to 200 million collected from the telecom sector every 15 days are inequitable. This act will prove detrimental to the foreign investment that is sourced by the 180 million telecom users in the country.
The association further explained that the present system is not capable enough to execute these orders, as it is a strenuous task to differentiate between filers and non-filers among the 180 million users. So they requested the elimination of the bill.
The Senate Committee supported the plea of the Telecom Association. The association is urging for cooperation from Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Chairman FBR to guide the Finance Department regarding the achievement of these goals.
Due to time constraints and limitations of the system of the Telecom Association, they asked for the prompt withdrawal of the bill passed in the budget.
