Tax collection up by 25%: Hafeez

Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has said that revenue collection during the first ten months of the current year was 25% more than the past year. He expressed satisfaction over tax collection this year and hoped that the target would be achieved.
Talking to media at the Convocation of Iqra University here on Saturday, Dr Sheikh said the federal budget for the next financial year would be presented on first June. He said education was important for the development of the country and the federal government was extending additional grant of Rs 800 billion to the provinces for social sector.
Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh distributed degrees and medals to Iqra University students belonging to different faculties and levels. He appreciated the contribution of Iqra University in education sector by getting No. 1 rank in private sector universities in Sindh. He said that Iqra University is fulfilling all three major roles for society like dissemination of knowledge, finding of new knowledge and research, and paying back the community. He also highlighted the importance of universities for providing the qualified manpower required for economic growth.
The Finance Minister also highlighted the performance and achievements of government during last ten years. He said that there were 71 universities in Pakistan in 2002, but in the last ten years, 66 new universities have been added in Pakistan. Previously, female enrollment were 37%, now it is 45%. Previously, numbers of PhDs were 1500, now 10,000 new students have been enrolled in PhD, added by Minister. He also advised students to be a proud and loyal Pakistani.
The Iqra University Chancellor highlighted the achievements of university in his speech and conferred degrees to the students.