2024-05-08 19:28:43
(Waqas Azim) The telecom sector also supported the stand of PTA on the decision to ban mobile SIMs.
The telecom industry has written to the Federal Ministry of Information Technology and PTA to assure full support regarding the banning of mobile SIMs. Highlighting the major legal hurdles in the implementation of the Tax General Order, the letter has highlighted the legal loopholes and potential complications of ITGO related to closure of FBR sums.
According to the text of the letter written by the telecom industry, customers’ SIMs cannot be blocked at once by law, companies are obliged to provide uninterrupted services under the Telecom Act. In conflict with the legal rights of, FBR’s ITGO may lead to litigation by consumers.
Also read: Bangladeshi living in Pakistan reunites with him after 37 years, video of emotional moment has surfaced
The letter further stated that the FBR did not consider the constitutional and legal aspects of the telecom sector before deciding to shut down the SIMs to discipline the taxpayers.
FBR did not take into account the financial implications of the decision, telecom service is included in the fundamental rights and the shutdown order is also against the Supreme Court rulings on the rights of consumers, the shutdown of SIMs is also against the rights of telecom companies. Violators who are paying their tax obligations regularly, any kind of disciplinary action should be taken against those who violate the tax laws, the prevailing legal requirements must be fulfilled before the closure of the sims.
In a letter written by the Telecom Industry to the Ministry of IT and PTA, the stand was adopted that sims cannot be blocked without repeatedly reminding customers and running a media campaign under the human rights and consumer rights laws enshrined in the constitution. Everyone is entitled to fair and equal treatment with due process of law, persons affected by ITGO should be formally informed through a wide media campaign, issue of show-cause notices to consumers, consumers To get an opportunity to present your case in a tribunal or court, FBR should implement the tax laws in a transparent manner as per the legal and proposed procedure, only in this case the losses of closure of sums can be avoided.
2024-05-08 19:28:43