ADB Flags High Digital Taxes, Unfriendly Analog Tax Processes

ADB flags high digital taxes, unfriendly analog tax processes

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB), while terming high taxation on Pakistan’s digital infrastructure as a major challenge, said that the analog processes of tax authorities are not user-friendly and impose a hidden compliance burden on taxpayers. The bank in its latest report, “Pakistan’s Digital Ecosystem” recommended the government to rationalise all digital infrastructure taxes, making them competitive against a basket of countries, …

Pakistan’s 5G Launch Faces Yet Another Delay

Pakistan has once again failed to meet its deadline for introducing 5G services by 30th June 2025. It’s the fourth time the country has missed the launch deadline since 2022. Despite multiple promises, the government is unable to launch 5G services due to some legal and regulatory hurdles that continue to delay progress. Federal IT Minister Shaza Khawaja recently reported that the long-awaited Spectrum Auction Committee meeting has yet to take p…

Pakistan’s 5G Rollout Stalls Amid High Taxes, Low ARPU, and Power Outages

Pakistan’s journey toward 5G faces serious roadblocks, as highlighted in a recent Asian Development Bank (ADB) report. Despite global momentum toward 5G, Pakistan’s telecom sector remains stuck. Multiple issues, including the world’s lowest average revenue per user (ARPU), high operational taxes, and low 4G/smartphone adoption, continue to hinder progress. According to the GSMA, Pakistan offers among […] The post Pakistan’s 5G Rollout Stalls Ami…

Telecom Firms Only Making Money, Karachi’s Network & IT Park Issues Persist, Claims IT Committee Member

Copyright protected content copied from PhoneWorld website. In a heated meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication, lawmakers slammed poor telecom services, questioned merger delays, and expressed frustration over stalled tech infrastructure in Karachi. Committee Member Mahesh Kumar stunned the room by revealing that in Karachi, WhatsApp calls drop after just one minute. “If this is Karachi, then imagine what…