• July 4, 2016
• Broadcasting
• Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: The federal government had decided to give relief to the electronic media under Finance Act 2016 in tax collection on import of equipment for digitalisation of cable networks in the country. This would be enforced from July 1, 2016. The decision was taken on the recommendations of Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to facilitate the cable operators to introduce digital system in the country, a Pemra press release said on Sunday.

This would reduce the expenditures of cable operators in import of modern technology in the country. — APP Tanvir Hashmi adds: While attaching condition to the permission of Pemra, the government has reduced custom duty to 11 percent on equipment including set top boxes, TV broadcasting transmitters, set top box for reception operation (IPTV), digital cable networks, DTH and other modern equipment. Regulatory duty on these equipment has also been abolished and this facility has been given till June 30, 2017.

Besides this advance tax imposed on cable TV under Finance Act 2013 was also reduced. The government also reduced advance tax at the time of renewal of the license. The cable operators were also given facility in paying taxes at the time of renewal in different categories. Rs1,00,000 imposed on broadcasting foreign drama serial after dubbing local languages under the head of advance tax has been abolished. Besides English language, Pemra will collect 50 percent renewal fee or permission fee from the TV channels who broadcast dramas in foreign languages. Pemra is also taking every possible steps in digitization of cable TV.