Tobacco Levy Proposed to Fund Daanish University’s Operations

The federal government plans to impose a levy on tobacco products to fund the operational expenses of a Daanish University in Islamabad. The education ministry has written to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to implement the levy, reported Dawn. The university is being constructed using part of the £190 million repatriated from the UK in a case involving a Pakistani property tycoon. The new levy will cover the university’s running costs once operational. The meeting was informed that a roadshow was recently held in China and Turkiye to attract consultancy firms and develop international academic partnerships. Twelve foreign firms and three local firms submitted bids. Bids were opened on June 16, and evaluation is still in progress. The lowest bidder will finalise the project design and supervise implementation. The university’s charter and trust deed have been prepared and sent for vetting. The Prime Minister has directed that the university and Daanish schools be equipped with smart boards, e-libraries, and modern facilities. He also ordered the establishment of a world-class digital library. The federal government is building five Daanish schools in Balochistan, one in Karachi, three in AJK, three in Chitral, and three in Gilgit-Baltistan.