The Federal Government under Pakistan Muslim League (N) and the provincial government of Punjab are not satisfied with the telecom sector and its contribution to the national economy at large in the context of remarks made by Ahsan Iqbal, a Federal Minister.
As a chief guest at a gathering of corporate delegates and media in Karachi held on Monday, the Federal Minister of Planning, Development and Reform sarcastically remarked that ‘They should do more for philanthropy like the other industries do instead of gifting free minutes to their users.’
‘Telecom operators’ contribution towards corporate philanthropy is negligent compared to other sectors, especially the financial sector which is at the top of the list,’ the minister said while praising donations made by the corporate sector and their philanthropic endeavors.
The honorable minister may have a different personal viewpoint here. But it reflects the general attitude of the party he belongs to since on one hand the PML(N) has enhanced tax rates on services provided by mobile phone operators and on the other hand, it is giving this impression to users that the telecom sector is fleecing them.
The PML(N) government not only enhanced withholding tax rates to 14 percent from 10 percent, but it also almost doubled GST on mobile handsets in the current financial year. It also robbed the telecom sector of the Rs 70 billion that they collected as development fund of ICT infrastructure. This in addition to the other directives where the PML(N) government in Punjab introduced 19.5 percent GST on mobile internet and etc.
Is Govt Destroying the Role of Telecom Sector In the Economy?
Of course, cellular operators have made profits but the honorable federal minister, who is in-charge of the Planning Commission, should recognize the fact that telecom operators have been one of the major contributors in bringing foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country over the past 15 years.
The telecom sector is the second highest contributor of revenue to the national kitty according to data available with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and is annual reports.
In the event held by Pakistan Center of Philanthropy, Mr. Iqbal was critical and said telecom contributions towards donations and sustainable development initiatives were minimal at best. He was not aware of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities carried out by these telecom operators in Pakistan, many of which were trendsetters in Pakistan and also emulated by other companies.
There are some CSR activities which attracted global attention and applause. Case in point, Ufone received a CSR Award from United Nation’s Department in 2012. Similarly, Mobilink won GSMA award in 2013 for its SMS-based Literacy Program which also awarded a grant by UNESCO.
In his speech, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of highlighting the positive image of the country by media and foreign investors although he is not aware of the fact how Pakistan’s own telecom sector revolutionized the service sector for public ease. Easypaisa is one such example which has become third largest branchless banking and winner of two GSMA awards in 2014.
Telecom operators should ponder over strategy and policy of their image building activities and ensure presence of policymakers at their events and happenings. This can help them effectively communicate their role and contribution in the economy, in sustainable development of the society where they are operating and welfare projects under CSR.
Time for Telecom Operators to Roll out a Joint Platform For Strong Advocacy
The issue of poor image-building is not limited to the case of the government only but all telecom operators who failed to communicate their importance and role to all stakeholders involved in the economy and social development.
Telecom operators should build a joint platform for redressing their mutual issues which should work continuously, and not just when a crisis situation develops. Â A couple of them recently came up such as ICT Forum Pakistan and ICT3 but operators were reluctant to support them.
It’s high time the telecom sector gets its act together. It needs a spokesperson and a platform so that they can utilize the media and speak on the behalf of the sector not only to protect interests of industry but also the consumers.
An article trying to write against the speech just becuase of political affiliation.
CSR is not that you donate money to poors or having such programs.
In west companies like KFC and McDonald’s or Starbucks, they pay premium prices to their farmers around the globe, they take care of each and every issue of them which help them in their business and their businesses grow at much higher pace.
Starbucks plays an important role in Brazil economy by helping their farmers to grow coffee beans. They didn’t make donations and claim as CSR activity.
Total and Shell are involved in many green projects and environment friendly projects as part of their CSR.Like PSO plant thousand of trees each year as part of their CSR. This is what exactly CSR means.
Facebook is providing free Internet as part of their CSR.
This is shit here and writer’s who know thing just write an article about taxes and some awards from UN to show his political affiliation and nothing.
Shame on Noora n Gullu league.
Pot calling the kettle black eh? This comment may be about the writer, the minister, or the telcos. I will let the reader decide :)
very very true the blog writer is biased. i think he was instructed by Aaamir Atta (pro-PTI).
You’re right. Aamir Atta is very biased and use fake names to post in his own blog. Perhaps there is no Abdul Rahman like Mehwish.
Do you have any argument to make, or its just criticism?
This article reminds me of the beggars you run into at the traffic lights. Always begging.
Haha.bhai jab ap apna Dubai aur UK se paisa le aoo gai to woh bhi kuch kardein gai for Pakistan.
Aamir Sb once again proving his loyalty to PTI. No surprises !!!
All these names such as KFC, McDonalds, Starbucks, PSO, Total, Shell are global names. The very fact the these BIG names are those corporations who consider me and everyone as fuel to make the riches. Grow up guys, all the good work is just the facet, real CSR is not adding horse meat or human meat while processing our delicious burger patties and sausages.
PSO, Total, Shell all are investing millions in the so called war on terror which is in its true form only a game of CRUDE OIL.
Starbucks has made its final £5m payment to the taxman after it was exposed for paying virtually no corporation tax in the UK since launching here 16 years ago.
Here is more http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/.
The point is, all Corporates are either mugging consumers or avoiding taxes including telcos with the GRAY TRAFFIC. Why do you think USF is not making any money.
Telecom industry in Pakistan are like mafia. Those who have been in the industry since 10-15 years are making it a monopoly, destroying all business ethics and filling up their back burners.
Free minutes for consumers are more like bone in front of a Dog and the CSR is CONSUMER SOLD REPEATEDLY when it comes to our good old Telecom Industry. They are the status quo and should be wiped out !!