GSMA seeks relief in Budget 2025-26

The GSM Association (GSMA), a body of mobile operators, has called for reducing taxes and fees in the telecom industry in the upcoming budget 2025-26. In a letter to Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, GSMA's Head of Public Policy and External Affairs for Asia Pacific, Jeanette Whyte, argued that lowering sector-specific taxes would make mobile services more affordable, particularly for low-income users. "A more balanced tax framework would also improve the financial sustainability of operators, allowing them to invest in expanding networks and upgrading to next-generation technologies," GSMA said. "Our analysis of 2024 data from mobile operators in Pakistan reveals that the sector contributed approximately 42% of its revenue in taxes and fees, 18% of which came from sector-specific charges applied exclusively to the mobile industry. This tax burden is significantly higher than the South and Central Asia average of 26%, and exceeds levels seen in other regions," GSMA added.