ISLAMABAD: Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez on Thursday assured telecom companies of his full support and cooperation for the resolution of issues faced by the sector. The minister chaired a meeting with chief executive officers of major cellular companies to discuss and review issues.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the telecom sector CEOs brought issues such as tax relief for those at the bottom of the pyramid and argued that giving them money under Ehsaas and taking it away from them thru taxing their recharge card pulls in opposite directions. They also emphasised creating a regulatory environment that is transparent, especially in renewal of licenses.

The meeting was held more with formation of the budget in sight rather than any Covid related developments, these sources told Dawn.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2020