ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued 850MHz spectrum (3G/4G) license to Telenor Pakistan after it paid withholding tax of Rs 4.13 billion ($39.5 million).
Telenor had earlier refused to pay withholding tax of $39.5 million, i.e. 10 percent of the total auction price ($395 million) of next generation mobile services (3G/4G), while terming it unlawful, baseless and based on a gross misinterpretation of provision of the law. Telenor had filed petition in Islamabad High Court against Federal government FBR and PTA. Islamabad High Court reserved judgment. On Friday Telenor move court pleading that it may be allowed to pay the withholding tax.
After getting court’s nod, Telenor deposited $39.5 million to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the latter (FBR) subsequently issued Non-Objection Certificate (NoC) to PTA for issuing 4G license to the company, PTA has been issued and Telenor can now provide 4G services in the country.