PEA seeks tax relief for e-commerce, digital payments
According to industry estimates, there are over 12,000 major e-commerce players and more than 200,000 small and medium-sized operators doing business in Pakistan, providing direct or indirect employment to over 500,000 people.
The imposition of additional government taxes is negatively impacting the overall e-commerce ecosystem, including logistics companies, allied sectors, and overall business activities as a whole, said Omer Mubeen, Chairman – Pakistan eCommerce Association (PEA).
'The tax disparity is not only limiting the growth of local businesses but is also forcing hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and women entrepreneurs to shut down,' he added.
The association has called on the government to provide tax relief to the e-commerce sector, pointing out that major local companies are already paying substantial amounts in income and sales taxes. 'The increase in taxes will not only reduce the competitiveness of local players but will also hurt the sales of domestic e-commerce companies,' Mubeen said.
In the 2025–26 federal budget, the government had levied new taxes on indigenous e-commerce companies at different rates, such as 18% GST and 0.25% to 2% cash-on-delivery and digital payment taxes.
The government, in a similar vein, had levied a 5% flat rate tax on international online platforms like Temu, AliExpress, and SHEIN, but subsequently withdrawn it. On the other hand, taxes were maintained on indigenous e-commerce platforms.
Shoaib Bhatti, President of the Pakistan eCommerce Association – Karachi Chapter, said the sector is not demanding tax exemption but a flat rate of 0.25% on both cash-on-delivery and digital payments.
'The removal of taxes on foreign e-commerce platforms will continue to cause an outflow of foreign exchange from the country, whereas domestic e-commerce companies generate business activity and create employment opportunities within the local economy,' he said.
'At a time when Pakistan needs to expand its digital economy and create opportunities for its youth, these regressive tax policies will only push entrepreneurs out of business. We strongly urge the government to ensure a level playing field for all segments of the economy, both COD and digital, instead of discouraging online entrepreneurship,' he added.
Pakistan's e-commerce industry has been growing at an average annual rate of 20–25% and is currently valued at approximately USD 7 billion (FY 2024), according to official market data. Nearly 70% of this ecosystem is driven by SMEs, which rely heavily on affordable digital tools and logistics to sustain operations.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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