Digital Publishers Reach Out to KPK Government for Removal of Internet Taxes

Digital publishers and bloggers of Pakistan, who recently managed to convince Punjab government to withdraw internet taxes, have now reached out to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government with request for removal of taxes on internet.

Digital publishers had opposed internet taxes imposed by Punjab government by blacking out their websites in protest.

Now, when Punjab government has withdrawn tax on internet, digital publishers, internet companies and bloggers have written a letter to Mr. Parvez Khattak, Chief Minister, KPK with request for removal of internet taxes in the province of KPK.

For those who don’t know, KPK charges 19.5% internet taxes from wired broadband customers, however, 3G and 4G data users are not liable to internet taxes due to a restraining order from court.

Letter, that is copied to Mr. Imran Khan, Chairman PTI, as well, tries to explain the KPK government the benefits and long-term ROI of tax-free internet.

Letter said that broadband users in Pakistan grew 600% — all thanks to 3G and 4G networks — during the past one year and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contributed a notable share. These trends promise tremendous amount of potential that broadband market poses for local and international investments.

Governments, while using tax-free internet, build multiple layers of tax-able economies of humongous magnitude

Digital publishers said that due to this increased internet usage in recent past, private and public sector organizations are already capitalizing the fruits of online solutions. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s online FIR registration facility is one such example that is likely to be replicated in other provinces because of its productivity and ease of use for the masses.

Digital publishers said that because Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) in general and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in specific are putting special focus on education and youth development, broadband penetration will not only impact positively on academic ventures of the KPK government but it will also help flourish the high-tech startup ecosystem involving young educated minds from the province.

Letter justified that increased broadband usage — with tax-free internet — will also mean feasible and smooth e-health, e-education, e-farming and other similar internet and smartphone based projects.

Publishers said that economies around the world are achieving wonders by keeping internet tax-free while taxing businesses that are established on the shoulders of internet. “This is exactly how other governments are building multiple layers of tax-able economy of humongous magnitude, just due to tax-free internet”, the letter said.

Tech and telecom reporter for over 15 years


  • Looking at the comments section i think no one is interested in this article, i think people from other provinces must also contribute towards this initiative by going to twitter and ask Imran Khan About the removal of the tax, because We also contributed in the protest against the tax in Punjab regardless of the fact that we live in KPK and Paying the Tax On Wired DSL, I am Hoping That People Will Start A Hash Tag On Twitter for Imran Khan To Remove the tax in KPK…Lets Bring It People….

    • That was my point!!! I think if a lawyer cases against the problem, he can easily win the war just by saying that It was done by Punjab why not to others? People must protect against this case, it’s the best time, otherwise it will be said, why you didn’t raise your voice when Punjab was freed from the internet tax. And this curse will be on them always if the voice is not raised.

  • Kufer toota khuda khuda ker kay
    Article main ye bhi mention ker dena tha k yeh article kis waja say likhna par raha hai.

  • Whats the prices of 3G and 4G sim of Telenor, Mobilink, Zong, Ufone & Warid? @Aamir717:disqus


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