Freezes on Robi's writ petition

The Appellate Division yesterday issued status quo against a writ petition of mobile operator Robi Axiata that challenged the provision for VAT on telecom licensing fees, revenue sharing and spectrum assignment fees.
The order came after an appeal of the telecom regulator.
Earlier, the High Court ordered Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to consider licence renewal for Robi in five days.
The HC issued a rule on Sunday after Robi filed the writ petition on January 3, challenging the provision for VAT in licence renewal.
In its rule on the same writ petition, the HC on Sunday also asked the National Board of Revenue to explain why the provision for VAT on telecom licensing fees, revenue sharing and spectrum assignment fees would not be declared illegal.
The Appellate Division yesterday issued the order for all parties to the case, including Robi, BTRC and NBR to maintain status quo, said Barrister Khandaker Reza-E-Raquib, a lawyer for BTRC.