A tax deduction of Rs 250 on SIM card has been abolished to provide relief to mobile phone users.

According to details, Federal Minister for IT Amin ul Haque has said that the service tax on the communication company has been reduced from 8% to 3%, the telecom industry will now start availing benefits of the policies formulated by the current government.

The Federal Minister said that the Ministry of IT had taken a revolutionary decision and connectivity would be provided in all areas.

In 31 months, the present government is spending Rs 22 billion on connectivity projects. In the last six months, the USF has launched 15 new projects. There is a problem of communication on highways for which agreements have been reached for communication on 1300 km highways from M3 to M5, he added.

He said that 175 million people have mobile phones and 44% of people use broadband adding that 220 million people have mobile phones in the country.

He further said that the government has a plan to increase connectivity in tourist destinations in the country.

Amin ul Haque added that in 2020, we exported $995 million to $1.23 billion worth of software exports. Meanwhile, IT exports have increased by 40%. It is the only IT ministry in Pakistan whose growth has been so high. It is planned to increase this target to $5 billion in 2023. Software technology parks and IT parks are being set up in the country. The foundation stone of the first government IT park is being laid in Islamabad this month.

He said that these initiatives will benefit the general public. It will also facilitate business.

The Minister said “the right of policy has given legal protection to all the infrastructure. The IT park will be completed in three years. The land has been acquired for the IT park in Karachi.”

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