ECC to waive off taxes in National Digital Cable Policy 2021

Aftab Ahmed

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) is likely to waive off duties and taxes on the import of equipment in the National Digital Cable Policy, 2021.

The cabinet has approved the national digital cable policy 2021 in principle and referred a matter to the economic coordination committee (ECC) to take a decision in this regard.

During a discussion in a cabinet meeting on national digital cable policy 2021, Commerce Division pointed out that the proposed policy entailed waiver of import duties on all equipment related to digitization of Cable TV networks for a period of three years. It was therefore asked to refer the matter to the economic coordination committee (ECC) for approval.

PEMRA is responsible for improving the standards of information, education, and entertainment.

The Authority was also responsible to facilitate the devolution of responsibility and power to the grassroots by improving the access of people to mass media at the local and community level.

In order to fulfill this purpose of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 and to comply with the requirements of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Millennium Development Goals （MDGs),the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had prepared the National Digital Cable Policy, 2021.

The ministry had consulted the Ministry of Commerce, Federal Board of Revenue, Association of Cable TV Licensees, Pakistan Broadcasters Association, Ministry of Industries, and Pakistan Telecommunication, Authority.

The policy pertained to the conversion of all analog distribution networks to digital, to provide a better quality of service, increase channel carrying capacity and transparency in revenue earning, and avoid tax evasion by the operators.

Section.5 of PEMRA Ordinance, 2002 as amended by the PEMRA （Amendment) Act, 2007 empowered the Federal Government, as and when-it considered necessary, may issue directives to the Authority on matters of policy, and such directives shall be binding on the Authority.

In view of the above, the. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting submitted National Digital Cable Policy, 2021 for approval, in principle, of the Federal Cabinet.

Information and Broadcasting Ministry had sought approval of the Federal Cabinet to okay the policy.

The Cabinet considered the summary titled ‘National Digital Cable Policy,2021’ dated 4th June 2021, submitted by the Information and Broadcasting Division, and while agreeing to the policy, in principle and referred it to the Economic coordination committee (ECC) for a detailed discussion on the financial implications.