20000323

All cell phone

cos equal in the

eyes of PTA

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Wednesday contradicted a news item published in the section of press regarding lowering tax rates by PTA on cellular business to give benefit to PTML only.

A press release issued here by the PTA authorities said the PTA did not deal with the matters of taxation which was out of its ambit.

The PTA always treat all players of the industry on equal grounds and tries its best to provide a level playing field to all players," it said.

The matters of levying new taxes and duties or changing rates of existing taxes is a prerogative of the Central Board of Revenue. Hence, the PTA cannot decide to change the rates of taxes as reported in the press, the release said.

It is, however, important to mention that the PTA gives its opinion and recommendation regarding any issue only when other government departments including CBR solicit it.

The PTA gives any such recommendation or opinion without prejudice to its functions and duties under the Telecommunication Act 1996 and without discriminating any operator or licencee.ÑAPP