KARACHI: The cable operators association has opposed the imposition of a fresh ‘service tax’ by the Sindh government and called upon the authorities to declare their business tax-free for 10 years.

“We make this demand so that we can offer cheap and quality service to our customers,” Khalid Arain, chairman of the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan, said at a press conference at the KPC on Sunday.

“The Sindh Board of Revenue has imposed a new tax on cable operators and consumers despite the fact that we are already facing many issues regarding our existing rate structure as many of the subscribers are not ready to pay these dues. In case new taxes are imposed, our service will become costlier, hurting overall business sentiment,” Mr Arain said.

He said the cable service business should be declared tax-free for 10 years, like the film industry, so that it could grow into a mainstream business.

Mr Arain appealed to former president Asif Ali Zardari, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to play their role for removal of the new tax.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2015

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