High court suspends new tax on incoming international calls

The Lahore High Court has suspended an additional tax levied on incoming international calls, reports The Nation. More than 6.5 million expatriates protested against the new charge, which had led to a fourfold increase in the cost of calling Pakistan. Brain Telecommunication Ltd, a Lahore-based operator has taken legal action to have the tax overturned, on the grounds that the tax was untenable under the terms of the 2010 Competition Act. In defence of the new charge, the state’s lawyers argued that it was a revenue generating measure and a right of the government. The tax has been suspended whilst the case continues. The court has sought detailed reports on the matter from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), IT Ministry, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) and the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP).