Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) is considering reducing sales tax on cable television operators at a rate of two percent following a recommendation by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association. "A summary, with regard to applying the lower rates of the sales tax on services with respect to cable TV operators is under process following directions by the chief minister, which is likely to obtain an administrative approval from the quarters concerned soon," said authority sources on Wednesday.
The case came under discussion at a meeting on Wednesday between Punjab Revenue Authority Chairperson Raheal Ahmad Siddiqui and Cable TV Operators Association President Malik Furqan at PRA headquarters. President Furqan was told the summary was under process with Chairperson Siddiqui telling the cable representatives that the services provided by them were proposed to be taxed at the reduced rate of two percent on the recommendation by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association, which will be the lowest tax rate offered to any service provider by the Punjab government. President Furqan said their grievances had been well addressed by the Punjab Revenue Authority.
PRA is engaged with the cable operators for quite some time and during a last meeting held on February 18 at the authority's headquarters, five businesses were de-sealed on an assurance that the cable operators would furnish a complete data of their loop-holders to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority for onwards submission to the authority.