LAHORE: The meeting between cable operators and the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) on Wednesday concluded on a `positive` note with likely approval of proposed reduced ratio of two per cent sales tax on cable television service.

The meeting followed a press conference addressed by office-bearers of cable TV operators body a day ago (on Tuesday) in the provincial capital, who had threatened to suspend services for an hour a day in Punjab if the government did not reduce the ST ratio from 16 per cent to two percent on their business.

PRA Chairperson Dr Raheal Ahmad Siddiqui informed Cable TV Operators of Pakistan president Malik Furqan at the authority`s headquarters that a summary regarding reduction in the rate of sale tax on cable TV services was under process on the directions of Punjab chief minister. He added the PRA was likely to obtain administrative approval for the purpose from the concerned quarters soon.

Mr Siddiqui said it was proposed that the cable TV operators be taxed at the reduced rate of 2pc on the recommendation of Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) which would be the lowest tax rate offered to any service provider by the Punjab government.

Mr Furqan, during the meeting, said the grievances of cable operators had been addressed by the PRA to the satisfaction of their association.

The PRA had been engaged with cable operators for quite some time and in a previous meeting, held on February 18 at the authority`s headquarters, five businesses were de-sealed on the assurance that they would furnish complete data of their loopholders to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for onwards submission to the authority.