ISLAMABAD: The growing cellular subscribers, increased traffic and higher taxes have encouraged telecom sector contribution to national exchequer, touching Rs124 billion mark during fiscal year 2012-13.

Though the year 2012-13 saw lesser contribution from telecom sector as compared to Rs133.41 billion deposited in 2011-12, the sector can be termed as one of the highest contributors, putting Rs119 billion per year in the national kitty on average for the last five years.

A latest data of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Tuesday revealed that General Sales Tax (GST) forms the major part of the contribution with Rs57.78 billion collected by Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) from telecom sector.

A huge sum of Rs53.52 billion has been paid by telecom operators under various heads such as duties, withholding tax, fees etc.

PTA has also received Rs6.8 billion from operators under various regulatory heads and deposited into the national exchequer till March 2013, while Rs7.52 billion was collected under the Activation Tax head.

PTA's contributions comprise of all its receipts including Initial and Annual License Fee, Annual Radio Frequency Spectrum Fee, Annual Spectrum Administrative Fee, APC for USF, Numbering Charges, License Application Fee, etc. Others include customs duties, Withholding Tax and other taxes.

Source: APP