The Pakistan Tennis Federation said the back-to-back events will be held with a prize purse of $15,000 each, marking the first time Pakistan will stage two consecutive ITF Women’s Futures tournaments.

The federation said the development reflects its push to strengthen women’s tennis by giving local players a chance to compete in international events at home.

PTF President Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi said the federation had already created strong competition opportunities for male players through ITF Men’s Futures events and was now extending similar support to women’s tennis. He said the upcoming tournaments would allow Pakistani female players to earn ranking points and gain international exposure without the burden of travelling abroad.

He added that the events would also help prepare the country’s top players for the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup.

Among the players expected to benefit from the initiative are Ushna Suhail, Mahin Aftab, Soha Ali, Romaisa Malik, Bismal Zia, Meheq Khokhar, Zunaisha Noor, Zainab Ali Raja, Fatima Ali Raja, and Laibah Durab, along with other emerging names.

The Pakistan Women’s Tennis Association, which was set up in 2024, is also backing efforts to expand and promote women’s tennis in the country.

Pakistan Women Tennis Association President Asma Khawar Khawaja said the tournaments would strengthen Pakistan’s place in international tennis and support the development of future women players.

PTF Secretary General Col Zia-ud-Din Tufail described the hosting of two back-to-back events as a major step that would give local players valuable international exposure on home courts.

The post Pakistan Set to Host Two Major Tennis Events in 2026 appeared first on ProPakistani.

The proposed allocation is aimed at addressing long-standing disputes between the energy and fertilizer sectors over gas pricing and tariff adjustments, which have resulted in accumulated financial liabilities.

The subsidy is expected to ease liquidity pressure on fertilizer manufacturers, ensure uninterrupted plant operations, and maintain stable supplies of urea and other essential fertilizers for the agriculture sector.

Pakistan’s fertilizer industry depends heavily on natural gas as both feedstock and fuel. Repeated tariff revisions, differential pricing structures, and delays in subsidy settlements have contributed to mounting arrears across the sector.

Sources said the measure is being treated as short-term relief, while the government simultaneously considers structural reforms in gas pricing, circular debt management, and industrial tariff rationalization.

The subsidy also aims to prevent sharp increases in fertilizer prices, which could raise production costs for farmers and intensify food inflation. Agriculture contributes nearly one-fifth of GDP and employs a large share of the workforce, making fertilizer affordability a key policy concern.

The government is reviewing broader energy sector reforms, including the reduction of circular debt and a more uniform gas pricing framework for industrial users to improve transparency and financial stability.

Sources added that the proposed mechanism would allow settlement of gas price differentials and enable SNGPL to recover notified gas prices from fertilizer producers, helping resolve long-standing payment disputes and easing pressure on the energy supply chain.

The post Govt Plans Rs. 20 Billion Subsidy for Fertilizer Companies in Budget, Filers to Pay It appeared first on ProPakistani.

NAPHDA was established in 2020 through an Act of Parliament during ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government with the objective of promoting affordable housing for low-income groups across the country.

The Authority was mandated to plan, develop, construct, and manage housing projects, while the prime minister served as its patron under the law.

The move to dissolve the Authority follows a review process that began after the resignation of the NAPHDA chairman. A summary seeking the appointment of a new chairman was initiated in February 2023, but the prime minister directed the Authority to first brief the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on its performance and achievements against its organizational objectives.

After receiving the briefing, the ECC asked NAPHDA to prepare a comprehensive business plan in consultation with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Finance Division.

Subsequently, as part of the government’s efforts to streamline federal institutions and reduce expenditures, the future of NAPHDA was referred to the Cabinet Committee on Rightsizing. After detailed deliberations, the committee recommended that the Authority be wound up.

The recommendation was later endorsed by the Federal Cabinet on April 9, 2026, paving the way for the repeal of the NAPHDA Act, 2020. A draft NAPHDA (Repeal) Act, 2026, vetted by the Law and Justice Division, has now been prepared for legislative consideration.

The decision marks the end of an institution that played a key role in advancing affordable housing initiatives over the past several years. Since its establishment, NAPHDA launched projects in Islamabad, Lahore, Sargodha, Chiniot, Nowshera, and other cities, with a cumulative target of approximately 122,507 housing units through partnerships with both public and private sector organizations.

Through its collaboration with the Akhuwat Foundation, the Authority facilitated the construction of nearly 28,000 housing units, while more than 31,000 units were supported through individual financing under the Mera Pakistan Mera Ghar scheme.

Additional housing projects were undertaken in partnership with the Workers Welfare Fund, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA), and various provincial development authorities in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

NAPHDA was also associated with a major expansion in housing finance. By June 2022, private commercial banks had disbursed approximately Rs. 120 billion in housing loans under government backed schemes, marking the first time such a large volume of private sector financing had been directed toward housing in Pakistan.

The program was later suspended during the caretaker government’s tenure.

The repeal process comes at a time when the federal government is pursuing a new housing strategy through the recently announced Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Programme, which aims to facilitate affordable homeownership through subsidized financing and concessional loans.

While NAPHDA is being abolished as part of institutional reforms, the government’s commitment to expanding access to affordable housing remains unchanged and will continue through alternative policy and financing mechanisms.

The post Govt to End ex-PM Imran Khan’s Cheap Housing Scheme for Low-Income Families appeared first on ProPakistani.

The claim circulating online alleged that such markings represent expiry dates and warned that cylinders with these codes could be outdated, unsafe, or at risk of explosion.

The regulator has clarified that this information is incorrect.

LPG cylinders used in Pakistan do not carry any coding system that indicates expiry in the form of “A-26” or “D-26.” Instead, cylinders contain embossed technical information including manufacturing date, manufacturer details, serial number, batch number, weight, water capacity, and next inspection date.

Cylinders produced in Pakistan are manufactured under internationally recognized standards such as DOT 4B, DOT 4BW, and DOT 4BA.

OGRA emphasized that certified LPG cylinders do not pose explosion risks under normal usage conditions, as they undergo periodic testing and safety inspections at fixed intervals.

Chairman of the LPG Distributors Association, Irfan Khokhar, also confirmed that OGRA-approved manufacturers follow strict international safety protocols.

He noted that cylinders go through more than 20 production stages and are designed for long-term use, though periodic refurbishment and mandatory inspections every five years are required.

He warned that cylinders produced outside regulatory approval may not meet safety standards and could pose serious risks to consumers.

The post OGRA Finally Reveals if LPG Cylinders Will Explode in Pakistan This Year appeared first on ProPakistani.

Under the initiative, teachers will receive training in spoken and written English in line with international standards. The program will be conducted in collaboration with Berlitz and the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC).

According to the department, the initiative is designed to strengthen teachers’ professional capabilities and help them provide more effective guidance to students in classrooms.

Officials said participants will undergo an assessment of their existing English proficiency before the training begins. Completion of a Google Form assessment has been made mandatory for enrollment in the program.

Training sessions will be held at designated District PECTAA head offices and selected schools. Classes will take place twice a week, with each session lasting two hours and 15 minutes.

The department has made full attendance mandatory for all selected teachers, stating that 100 percent participation is necessary to achieve the program’s objectives.

Education experts have welcomed the initiative, saying it could play an important role in improving English language instruction in government schools and enhancing students’ language skills.

The post Punjab to Train 35,000 Teachers in Spoken English appeared first on ProPakistani.

He made these remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, where the two leaders discussed national security, the economy, and key domestic and regional developments.

The high-level meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah.

According to official details, discussions covered national security, internal and regional situation, economic conditions, the upcoming federal budget, recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as law and order issues.

President Zardari emphasized that the federal budget should ensure a balance between economic growth, provincial autonomy, and public welfare initiatives. He stressed that development planning must be aligned with citizen relief measures and inclusive economic stability.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also briefed the President on his recent visit to Iran and ongoing diplomatic engagements in the region.

The meeting was also attended by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Murad Ali Shah, Raja Faisal Rathore, and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, along with Senator Sherry Rehman, MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, and Senator Ahad Cheema.

The post President Zardari Calls for Growth-Oriented Budget That Protects Provincial Rights appeared first on ProPakistani.

According to reports, the board has called 49 players to a training camp in Lahore, dividing them into red-ball and white-ball groups. Of them, 22 players have been shortlisted for the Test setup, while 27 have been placed in the white-ball pool. Shaheen Afridi has reportedly been included only in the white-ball category and is not part of the Test camp.

Officials said the white-ball camp will begin on September 18, while the red-ball camp will continue until July 10. Preparations for the upcoming West Indies tour are expected to start from July 15.

Despite leading Pakistan’s ODI side, Shaheen Afridi has reportedly not been included among the players being considered for the Test program. He is expected to join the white-ball camp on June 15 along with other selected players.

The 26-year-old made his Test debut against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi in December 2017 and last featured in the format against Bangladesh in Mirpur in May 2026. In 34 Test matches, he has taken 126 wickets.

During Pakistan’s recent Test series defeat to Bangladesh, he returned figures of 3-113 in the first innings and 2-54 in the second before being left out of the following match in Sylhet.

Reports suggest selectors are concerned over a dip in his pace during that series, where he was unable to consistently hit the speeds that once made him one of Pakistan’s most dangerous fast bowlers.

Another reported concern is his limited involvement in first-class cricket, with officials believing that the lack of regular red-ball cricket may have affected his recent performances in the longer format.

Based on those factors, reports suggest the board is moving away from considering the ODI captain for future Test assignments, while still seeing him as an important part of Pakistan’s white-ball plans.

The post Pakistan ODI Captain Likely to Miss Upcoming Test Series appeared first on ProPakistani.

Born in Manchester to a Pakistani father from Sahiwal and an Iraqi mother, the 23-year-old midfielder chose to represent Iraq at the international level. Iraq’s successful qualification campaign has now paved the way for Iqbal to compete on football’s biggest stage.

Iqbal rose through the ranks of Manchester United’s academy and made history in 2021 when he became the first British South Asian player to represent the club’s first team.

While he represents Iraq internationally, Iqbal’s achievement has drawn attention in Pakistan due to his family roots in Punjab. His father hails from Sahiwal, giving the midfielder a strong connection to the country.

For Pakistani football fans, Iqbal’s qualification for the World Cup marks a significant milestone, as no player of Pakistani origin has previously appeared at football’s premier international tournament.

The post First Footballer of Pakistani Origin Set to Play at FIFA World Cup appeared first on ProPakistani.

The latest addition is part of the company’s strategy to expand its production capacity and strengthen its presence in Pakistan’s poultry sector. According to the disclosure, the rearing process has formally commenced and will progress in line with the planned production cycle.

The company expects the flock to reach laying maturity later this year, paving the way for higher egg production volumes. Commercial egg production from the new flock is anticipated to begin in November 2026.

Wahdat Poultry said the expansion is being funded through capital raised from its IPO, reflecting the company’s efforts to deploy the proceeds toward planned growth initiatives.

The disclosure was issued in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Securities Act, 2015, and the Pakistan Stock Exchange Rule Book, with the company providing the update to shareholders and the investing public.

The development marks another step in Wahdat Poultry’s expansion program as it seeks to increase production capacity and support future revenue growth through a larger layer bird population.

The post Wahdat Poultry Uses IPO Money to Buy 100,000 More Egg-Laying Hens appeared first on ProPakistani.

Tamim Iqbal, who had been serving as the head of the ad-hoc committee for the past two months, will now lead the board for a four-year term.

The election was called by the Bangladesh government under the interim body in April after the previous elected board, led by Aminul Islam, was dissolved. The move came after a probe committee report found Aminul and a board member involved in corruption.

The same committee also recommended constitutional reforms, and Tamim Iqbal said the new board is open to discussing changes if they are needed for the betterment of Bangladesh cricket.

Tamim said there are “a lot of things” and “loopholes” that may need to be discussed, but any constitutional reform would require agreement from the wider body of 1972 councillors.

“For the betterment of Bangladesh cricket, if any constitutional changes are needed, we will definitely discuss and consider them,” Tamim said.

The former skipper admitted that the role is still new for him and said he needs time to work with the councillors before identifying areas that require improvement.

“It is very new for me because I still have to mix with all these people. I may not know more than half of them. I met them for the first time. So give us some time, let us discuss, and then we will find out where improvements are needed,” he added.

Tamim Iqbal further said that transparency will remain one of the top priorities of the new BCB setup.

The post Former Bangladesh Captain Elected BCB President appeared first on ProPakistani.