The second meeting of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on IT and Telecom was conducted on Tuesday that was chair by the Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.
At the meeting the Prime Minister’s Task Force on IT and Telecom proposed that the 12.5% Advance Income Tax on internet services to be eliminated.
The meeting was attended by Federal Secretary for Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Maroof Afzal, and Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman attended the meeting as co-chairman of the task force.
The Sub Task Force on IT gave the recommendation to set up special technology zones in the country in order to enhance IT exports and stated that the image of Pakistan’s IT industry will improve by establishing special technology zones in the country.
To which Dr. Atta Ur Rehman added that instead of setting up special technology zones from the start while developing land for this purpose, existing buildings or infrastructure can be designated as special technology zones.
Regarding the sale of the spectrum, Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman said that it should be allocated in the right manner and emphasized on the need to promote locally manufactured products like mobile phones, computers, laptops etc. Furthermore, at the meeting it was also proposed that IT-related small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should be empowered through the establishment of special zones.
The Sub Task Force for Telecom at the meeting also observed that the telecom taxes in Pakistan are among the highest in the world. The team proposed that 12.5% of Advance Income Tax on internet services must be reduced to zero.
Moreover, the meeting was informed that 1000 union councils in the country have fiber cable connectivity and the target is to connect 3100 more with fiber cables for broadband supply. A recommendation was also given to develop digital content for all subjects at schools and colleges besides giving IT training to students.
