After the federal government raised taxes on the telecom businesses as well, telecom providers cautioned the public to prepare for frequent "phone call" disruptions across the country, similar to energy load shedding.
The Senate Standing Committee on Finance recently held a meeting, and over the discussion, representatives of the telecom businesses expressed grave worries about the tax increase.
The federal government has increased the advance tax on imported fibre optic cable by 15% while duty has increased by 20%, the representatives of telecoms said during the conference.
They argued that the telecom industry already faces numerous difficulties and will be made even more difficult by the increase in fibre optic cable fees.
Telco representatives said that barely 10% of towers nationwide utilise fibre optic cable, and they warned that if taxes on fibre optic cable aren't reduced, Pakistan will fall behind other countries in the battle for global connection.
They asked the committee to advise the government to lower the import duties on fibre optic cable to 8%. The committee made sure that the telecom providers informed the government of their suggestions.