Government has recently imposed 19.5% tax on mobile data usage again after befooling the people for more than two months that notification has been published stating that Punjab government will exempt the mobile internet from taxes.

Punjab Government fooled people by announcing for no more internet taxes

Initially an SRO has been published that maintained that the previously imposed tax will soon be revoked as soon as the final verdict of PRA comes.

A source at Pakistan Revenue Authority revealed that a revised SRO will be issued soon, hinting that PRA has taken a U-Turn and that it is now planning to tax mobile data usage. However, DSL users might be exempted from the taxes.

If we recall the issue, Punjab government imposed 19.5% tax on internet services through an SRO on May 28th, 2015. Later on a protest was held to withdraw this tax as mobile data is emerging market and such imposition will damage the potential of the market. Dr Ayesha Ghaus, Finance Minister Punjab, during her budget speech on June 13th, 2015 announced that Internet taxes will be revoked and said that notification will be taken back shortly.

Despite the promises the tax is not expected to get lifted even the rumors are indicating that previous tax imposition will not be revoked officially and holds similar as before.