National Assembly passes bill for free higher education quota
Listen to article
The National Assembly on Tuesday approved a bill mandating a 25% quota for free university education for deserving students across the country, Express News reported.
The lower house of Parliament passed two key pieces of legislation, with the highlight being a new law requiring universities to allocate 25% of their seats for free education to financially deserving students.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Agha Rafiullah called for the inclusion of a 25% quota for free education within the Institute for Science and Technology Bill specifically for deserving and high-achieving students. The amendment was approved by the assembly.
Read more: Punjab University issues revised schedule for postponed exams
However, an amendment proposed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) MNA Aliya Kamran, opposing the bill on the grounds that education falls under provincial jurisdictionm, was rejected.
In addition to the free education quota bill, the House approved the Institute for Science and Technology Bill 2024 and the International Examination Board Bill 2024.
The House also approved the International Examination Board Bill 2024, presented by chairman of the Kashmir Committee, MNA Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, which seeks to establish an internationally recognized examination authority within Pakistan.
Following the passage of the bills, the National Assembly session was adjourned until 11:00 am the following day.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
44 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Property buyers to benefit from tax breaks
The government has proposed significant relief for the real estate and construction sectors in the federal budget for 2025-26, including cut in the withholding tax rate on property purchases, and abolition of the Federal Excise Duty (FED) on transfer of commercial properties, plots, and houses. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb unveiled the budget in the National Assembly on Tuesday evening. He announced a reduction in the stamp duty on property purchases in Islamabad. He also announced tax credit facility in order to promote mortgage financing.
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Govt introduces significant pension reforms to reduce burden
The federal government has introduced significant pension reforms as part of the Budget 2025-26, aiming to rationalise public spending and reduce the growing fiscal burden posed by the existing pension system. Unveiling the budget 2025-26 in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that retired public servants rejoining government service will now be required to choose between their pension or the new salary, effectively ending the practice of dual financial benefits. Among the new measures, the government has also imposed a 5% tax on high-income pensioners — defined as those under the age of 70 with an annual pension exceeding Rs10 million. However, the minister clarified that low and middle-income pensioners will remain exempt from this tax. The duration of family pensions has been capped at 10 years following the death of the pensioner's spouse, and multiple pensions will no longer be allowed. Aurangzeb said that for decades, successive administrations had amended the pension system through executive orders, resulting in a disproportionate burden on the national exchequer. The current reforms, he said, aim to streamline the pension structure and align future increases with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to ensure sustainability. He further stated that premature retirements will be discouraged under the new policy framework, reinforcing the government's commitment to a financially viable pension system.
Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Budget FY2025-26: Pakistan govt proposes ‘Carbon Levy' on petrol, diesel
Pakistan government imposed a new tax on the sale of petrol, diesel and furnace oil namely 'Carbon Levy' at Rs2.5 per litre to be collected in upcoming fiscal year 2025-26 that will be raised to Rs5 per litre in the financial year 2026-27, according to budget documents on Tuesday. The new tax will be collected apparently with effect from July 1, 2025 in addition to the existing expensive petroleum development levy (PDL) at Rs78 per litre on petrol and Rs77 per litre on diesel, making the petroleum products further costlier. Budget 2025-26: Pakistan targets 4.2% growth as Aurangzeb presents proposals 'for a competitive economy' While announcing the budget for 23025-26, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb also announced to collect Petroleum Levy on the sale of furnace oil (FO) at the rate to be notified by Federal Government from time to time. While speaking at the National Assembly's floor, Aurangzeb said that the Carbon Levy was being imposed to discourage more use of fossil fuel and to mobilise resources for climate change and green energy programmes. Topline Securities commented 'in line with commitment to IMF, the government has imposed PDL on furnace oil; however, the rate is not disclosed yet'. Recent reports suggest the government would also surge PDL on the petroleum products to Rs100 per litre in the upcoming fiscal year (FY26) in line with s new agreements with International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the ongoing 37-month long $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). Key highlights of Pakistan budget for 2025-26 To recall, the diesel is being sold at Rs254.64 per litre and petrol at Rs253.63 per litre in Pakistan with effect from June 1. 2025. The government revises the petroleum products prices twice a month in line with global oil pricing trends.
