The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) on Thursday directed Telenor Pakistan to clear all its dues or face the prospect of their offices being closed all across the province. This happened after the sealing of provincial head-office of Telenor Pakistan in Lahore on account of an alleged tax default of Rs 1.69b from the period July 2012 to June 2013. According to PRA’s Additional Commissioner for Enforcement Amanullah Virk, this action was initiated after the commissioner of appeals declined the plea of Telenor Pakistan and it owes a defaulted amount of Rs 1.612.9m, including penalty fees of Rs80.6m.
As per Virk, Telenor had got a tax credit on account of self invoicing and Telenor had been given a fair chance to clarify its position. But according to Telenor Pakistan Chief Corporate Affairs and Strategy Officer Muhammad Aslam Hayat, the company has paid taxes to the tune of Rs240b, made investments worth Rs3.5b and created employment opportunities for thousands over the course of its twelve year of operations. He also mentioned that the company is seeking legal recourse and advice in this regard since they disputed the PRA order they received.
