Govt proposes to meet Daanish University expenses from new tobacco levy

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has mulled to help the operational cost of the proposed Daanish University in Islamabad from the propsed levy on tobacco products.

The poropsal was discussed during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, which was also attended by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and other senior ministers.

Sources said that the meeting propsed a levy on tobacco products and for that the education ministry had written to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

In March, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced to construct Daanish University of Applied and Emerging Sciences in the federal capital.

As per details, the meeting was further informed that the university’s charter had been finalised by the education ministry and shared with the Planning Commission for vetting.

In addition to that, the meeting was also informed that a roadshow had recently been held in China and Turkiye, aimed at attracting renowned consultancy firms, explore emerging technology courses and discuss student exchange programmes with foreign universities.

According to officials, 12 international consultancy firms, mainly from Turkiye and China, and three local firms participated in the bidding process. Sources said bids were opened on June 16 and the evaluation process was currently under way.