Rohit Sharma set for television debut after cricket

By MIR HUNBAL BIRMANI A heartfelt public appeal has been made to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on social media , urging her to announce financial compensation for the families of the four children who were killed and sixteen injured in the Little Scholars School tragedy in Dera Ghazi Khan on May 7, similar to the relief package announced for victims of the recent Kahna, Lahore academy roof collapse. Parents of deceased children of little scholar school roof collapse incident expressed profound grief over the tragic incident in Kahna, Lahore, where the collapse of an academy roof claimed the lives of innocent children and left several others injured. They offerd prayers for the departed souls, strength for the bereaved families, and a speedy recovery for the injured. Referring to reports that the Punjab government has announced Rs2 million each for the families of the deceased and Rs500,000 each for the injured in the Kahna tragedy, the public appeal on social media describes the decision as commendable. However, it argues that the absence of a similar announcement for the victims of the Little Scholars School tragedy in Dera Ghazi Khan has created a perception of unequal treatment . The statement notes that both incidents involved the collapse of classroom roofs, resulting in the deaths and injuries of schoolchildren. It stresses that negligence and carelessness cannot be overlooked in either case and that the victims in Dera Ghazi Khan deserve the same compassion and support extended to those in Lahore. The appeal further points out that while the Chief Minister promptly announced relief for the Kahna victims, no compensation has yet been announced for the families affected by the Dera Ghazi Khan tragedy, nor did the Chief Minister visit the city to offer condolences. It says this has caused disappointment among the bereaved families and residents of Dera Ghazi Khan. Questioning the perceived disparity, the appeal states that if the Chief Minister considers herself a mother to all the children of Punjab, then the victims of both tragedies should receive equal treatment. The appeal concludes by urging Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to announce a compensation package for the families of the deceased and injured children in the Little Scholars School tragedy. It emphasizes that while no amount of money can compensate for the loss of a child or heal the grief of the parents, such assistance would demonstrate that the government stands with all citizens equally. The statement also calls upon elected representatives from Dera Ghazi Khan and the district administration to formally recommend to the Punjab government that financial assistance be provided to the affected families.

ISLAMABAD: Internal differences within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have intensified after a public dispute between central secretary-general Salman Akram Raja and party leader Mashal Yousafzai. The disagreement revolves around allegations linked to party tickets and internal decision-making. Both leaders have exchanged strong statements, further highlighting tensions within the party. Mashal Yousafzai had accused Salman Akram Raja of involvement in what she described as the sale of party tickets. Raja rejected the allegation and responded sharply. Raja questioned the credibility of the accusation. He said those who could not afford even a small amount to pursue a legal case had resorted to making serious allegations against him. He also questioned Yousafzai’s knowledge of the circumstances surrounding her Senate position. Raja said she did not know who had played a role in getting her elected to the Senate. Raja further stated that decisions regarding Yousafzai had been made on the instructions of PTI founder Imran Khan. He said he did not possess the authority to remove Yousafzai from the Senate. He added that not taking action against her at the party level was an act of leniency on his part. Yousafzai rejected Raja’s claims and responded with allegations of her own. She claimed that Raja had apologised to Imran Khan on one occasion but later resumed making public statements against her and others. Yousafzai also challenged Raja to take action against her if he believed he had the authority to remove her from the party. The dispute has attracted attention because both figures hold prominent positions within PTI circles. Their public exchange has brought internal disagreements into the open at a time when the party is already facing political and organisational challenges. PTI worker Shandana Gulzar also joined the debate. Gulzar accused Raja of making an incorrect statement about financial matters. She questioned the handling of funds allegedly received from the United States. She asked where the millions of rupees allegedly coming from the US had gone. Gulzar suggested that disclosure of the facts could create serious problems for those involved. The allegations made by the PTI figures have not been independently established. The dispute remains centred on competing claims made by the individuals involved. The latest confrontation has nevertheless raised questions about internal discipline and decision-making within the party.

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs44 billion in income tax from the salaried class during July, the first month of the current financial year. The collection was higher than the amount collected from salaried individuals during the same month in the previous two years. FBR had collected Rs42 billion from the salaried class in July 2025 and Rs30 billion in July 2024. According to sources, the higher collection from salaried individuals came despite an overall decline in income tax collection in some sectors. The figures indicate that the salaried class continued to contribute a significant share of income tax revenue at the beginning of the new financial year. Sources said property buying and selling transactions increased during July this year. However, tax collection from property transactions remained lower compared with the corresponding period last year. The development comes after the government introduced changes to income tax rates for several salaried income brackets in the federal budget for the current financial year. The government reduced tax rates on annual incomes above Rs2.2 million as part of its budget measures. Under the revised tax structure, the income tax rate for individuals earning between Rs2.2 million and Rs3.2 million annually was reduced from 23 per cent to 20 per cent. Similarly, the tax rate for the annual income bracket of Rs3.2 million to Rs4.1 million was reduced from 30 per cent to 25 per cent. For individuals earning between Rs4.1 million and Rs5.6 million annually, the income tax rate was reduced from 35 per cent to 29 per cent. The tax rate for people earning between Rs5.6 million and Rs7 million annually was also reduced from 35 per cent to 32 per cent. Despite these reductions in tax rates, FBR’s collection from salaried individuals increased in July compared with the previous two years. The figures show that the tax contribution from the salaried class remained strong despite changes in the tax slabs.