Sindh govt imposes 19.5pc sales tax on internet.

• Position: Sindh, Pakistan government

Internet and broadband services, which are considered basic necessities and the backbone of developed economies worldwide, are going to become expensive in Sindh as the provincial government has slapped sales tax on them.

"The Sindh Revenue Board has withdrawn the exemption of sales tax on services from internet and/or broadband services with effect from July 1, 2019," said a notification of the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB).

The notice has informed service providers that from July 1, all internet and broadband customers, irrespective of their speed or charges, will pay sales tax at the statutory rate of 19.5percent.

"Internet and broadband services of up to 2 mbps speed and 4 mbps speed, the charges for which did not exceed Rs1,500 per month and Rs2,500 per month respectively, were exempt from sales tax...