ISLAMABAD: Telecom companies have been informing users of the implementation of revised withholding tax (WHT) rates on mobile balance recharge.

According to text messages sent to customers by telecom companies, withholding tax has been revised from 10 per cent to 15 per cent or Rs13.04 on every Rs100 mobile balance recharge.

In addition to the withholding tax, General Sales Tax (GST) at 19.5 per cent is also being charged on mobile services, after which the customers will get Rs72.77 worth of balance off of every Rs100 recharge that they buy.

PTA had already fixed a ceiling on call setup charges at Rs0.15 per call.

According to sources, the government will earn a revenue of approximately Rs43 billion a year.

Meanwhile, weekly internet packages have been increased up to Rs25 and monthly superload packages have been increased from Rs50 to Rs100 as well.

Similarly, the weekly all-in-one package price has risen by Rs30.

According to a Samaa report, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) officials said that except for major telecom company, Jazz, the rest would not be allowed to increase package prices.