The proposed gas sector reforms, including the unbundling of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Ltd (SSGCL), were discussed on Tuesday at a meeting led by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik on the government side and by World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, Bolormaa Amgaabazar, on the other.

“The reform framework also proposes the restructuring and unbundling of the Sui companies by separating their transmission, distribution and energy businesses, while creating greater opportunities for private sector participation throughout the gas value chain,” an official statement said after the meeting.

Informed sources said some major business groups were interested in the transmission business through privatisation. However, the distribution sector faced serious challenges due to issues such as transfer pricing, cross-subsidies, and uniform national gas prices despite varying levels of system losses — the highest in Balochistan, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Punjab.

Govt plans splitting SNGPL, SSGCL into one transmission and four provincial distribution companies

Independent consultant KPMG and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had previously opposed the proposed unbundling model on financial and technical viability grounds and suggested broader consultations, including with the provinces and private shareholders. The plan was eventually shelved in 2020.

The sources said the Petroleum Division now wanted to fast-track the restructuring and unbundling process and secure the prime minister’s approval this month.

“The meeting reviewed and endorsed the strategic direction of Pakistan’s gas sector reforms,” the statement said, adding that the minister directed officials to prepare the finalised roadmap for the prime minister’s approval by the end of August 2026.

“Following the prime minister’s approval, the Petroleum Division will initiate phased implementation of the reform programme in consultation with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth and sustainable transition to a modern, competitive and financially viable gas sector,” it added.

For this purpose, the Petroleum Division will seek the immediate appointment of a transaction adviser to work out the unbundling of SNGPL and SSGCL into five companies. The adviser’s cost would either be financed by the World Bank or shared equally by the two gas utilities and recovered through end-consumer tariffs.

Interestingly, both companies and their shareholders oppose the proposed unbundling — effectively their dissolution — and are also unwilling to finance the process for obvious reasons.

Under the plan, a National Gas Transmission Company (NGTC) would be carved out to take over the transmission systems and business of both gas utilities and operate as a common carrier for the existing and newly created gas distribution companies, similar to the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) in the power sector, now renamed National Grid Company.

The proposal envisages third-party access by private firms to the NGTC network. The transmission company would not itself engage in the sale or purchase of gas; instead, it would transport gas and charge wheeling fees to all suppliers and purchasers of locally produced gas or LNG. Some influential business groups with connections in policymaking circles are also said to be interested in acquiring a stake in the NGTC.

The distribution networks of both utilities would then be divided into multiple gas distribution companies operating under unified principles within the jurisdictions of SNGPL and SSGCL. These smaller business units would be formed based on technical and economic criteria, including population, network density, gas demand, workload, supervision, and operational efficiency, to ensure their sustainability.

The plan would also require a mechanism for weighted average sale price equalisation, or another suitable pricing mechanism, for gas sales. However, there is still a view within the Petroleum Division that the matter should be decided in consultation with all stakeholders and provincial governments, including approval from the Council of Common Interests (CCI), before appointing any consultant, since the terms of reference for the adviser would depend on the agreed mechanism.

There is also opposition to splitting the two existing companies into five or more entities before the transaction adviser completes the advisory process, particularly regarding the feasibility of the proposed reforms.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

They said the local auto industry is still operating at less than 50 per cent of its installed annual capacity of 500,000 units, due to repeated policy changes and demand-suppressing measures.

In a letter to the premier, PAMA Director General Abdul Waheed Khan sought immediate intervention to protect Pakistan’s automotive manufacturing industry from the serious risk of deindustrialisation resulting from the proposed reduction in CBU import tariffs under the National Tariff Policy (NTP) 2026-31.

The import of approximately 45,000 CBU vehicles annually diverts nearly 18pc of the domestic market away from local manufacturers, Waheed stated in the letter.

CBU tariff cut, delay in new policy threaten local industry

The proposed reduction of CBU tariffs to 15pc under the NTP is based on unrealistic assumptions regarding exports and competitiveness. Rather than promoting industrial growth, it will accelerate deindustrialisation by making imported vehicles significantly more competitive than locally manufactured vehicles, Waheed feared.

This approach is inconsistent with international practice, where major automotive manufacturing countries continue to protect their domestic industries through calibrated tariff regimes. Vietnam maintains tariffs of up to 70pc, while Thailand applies tariffs of up to 80pc on imported vehicles, he said.

If the automotive sector is not excluded from the proposed tariff reductions, the industry foresees the permanent closure of vehicle manufacturing plants, the loss of approximately 1,324 auto parts manufacturers, and more than $5bn in industrial investment, direct unemployment of workers, and adverse effects on the livelihoods of approximately 2.5 million people, he said.

He urged the PM to exclude the automotive sector from the proposed tariff reductions under the NTP and introduce a stable, long-term automotive policy framework to ensure predictable tariff structures.

Maintain a minimum 40pc tariff differential between CBU imports and locally manufactured vehicles to facilitate sustainable production volumes, investment, and deep localisation, Mr Waheed demanded.

Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) Chairman Usman Aslam Malik also sought a meeting with the prime minister to present its vision and recommendations for building a vibrant, competitive auto sector anchored in deeper localisation and a robust vendor industry.

He informed the premier through a letter that “the prolonged delay in finalising the new Auto Policy has created significant uncertainty for our members.”

Investment decisions, capacity planning, and technology upgradation across the vendor industry remain stalled in the absence of policy clarity, he said, urging the government to expedite finalisation of the policy without further delay, as continued ambiguity is eroding investor confidence and pushing capital toward more predictable markets.

He recalled that the previous two Auto Policies were largely assembly-centric in design. The incentive structures under these policies primarily benefited assembly operations, resulting in a proliferation of assembly plants rather than genuine industrial deepening.

The vendor sector — which accounts for approximately 80pc of the auto industry’s total employment — received little to no meaningful support under these frameworks, he said.

A truly sustainable auto sector must be built on deepening localisation, strengthening the vendor base, encouraging technology transfer, and enabling economies of scale for parts manufacturers.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

Trade and industry lea­ders have urged the Sindh government to implement concrete measures to ensure the smooth operation of industrial units during the monsoon season in future.

In a joint statement, Hy­­de­rabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry Cha­irman Zubair Ghanghra, Senior Vice Chairman Amir Shahab, Vice Chairman Essar Kumar, and General Secretary Mohammad Shahid Qaimkhani stated that the recent rains flooded roads, and rainwater entered several factories, bringing industrial work to a standstill.

They said that although the association had repeatedly requested better drainage and road repairs before the monsoon, no timely action was taken.

They added that, to make matters worse, the Site area remained without electricity for over 24 hours after the rains.

They argued that factory operations have been severely disrupted, while industrial labour has faced tremendous difficulties reaching their workplaces.

They said that Hyder­abad Site was one of Pakis­tan’s major industrial areas, where 360 units were currently operating — down from 425 — and contributed Rs1bn in taxes to the government.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

A meeting of the ECC, presided over by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, was informed that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had sought a Rs20bn supplementary grant for PTVC to continue its operations despite lacking a business plan to become financially sustainable.

The Ministry of Finance opposed the large funding request from the public exchequer and, after consultations with the relevant officials, reduced the demand by nearly one-third to Rs13bn. It also put in place a quarterly payment schedule.

According to an official statement, the ECC approved the supplementary grant for PTVC for the financial year 2026-27, allowing the release of Rs3.25bn every quarter to meet the corporation’s operational and essential running expenses.

Approves Rs27.62bn sovereign guarantees, rollover of Rs6.94bn viability gap funding for Sialkot-Kharian Motorway

“The committee further directed the Ministry of Information to bring the matter back to the ECC within two months, along with a comprehensive financial sustainability plan for PTVC,” the statement said.

Sialkot-Kharian Motorway

The ECC also approved a summary submitted by the Ministry of Communications for the issuance of Rs27.62bn in sovereign guarantees for the construction of the 69-kilometre Sialkot (Sambrial)-Kharian Motorway (M-12) under a build-operate-transfer model.

It also approved the rollover of an already issued operational viability gap funding (VGF) amounting to Rs6.944bn.

“The guarantees will facilitate the concessionaire in achieving financial close for the public-private partnership (PPP) project in line with the approved fresh financing structure,” the statement said.

The 69km Sialkot-Kharian Motorway is being constructed by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) at an estimated cost of more than Rs80bn under a revised commercial structure. Under the revised plan, the entire Lahore-Rawalpindi motorway corridor, comprising all three sections, will now be constructed by the FWO.

The M-12 project, along with the Lahore-Sialkot and Kharian-Rawalpindi sections, has been upgraded from a four-lane to a six-lane motorway on the directives of the Special Investment Facilitation Council. The project is expected to significantly improve industrial connectivity and regional mobility.

The Sialkot-Kharian Motorway project includes Rs21bn in viability gap financing from the government to make it commercially viable for private-sector participation, given the relatively low projected traffic volume. The additional sovereign guarantees of nearly Rs28bn are required to enable the FWO to raise financing from commercial banks.

Recently, the government also decided to award the Rs204bn, 117km Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway (M-13) project to the FWO — the engineering and construction arm of Pakistan Army — without competitive bidding, on the recommendation of the National Highway Authority (NHA).

The NHA argued that the FWO was already executing the two adjoining sections of the Lahore-Rawalpindi Motorway corridor.

Sources said the government wanted the project completed on a fast-track basis as it would reduce the Lahore-Rawalpindi distance by about 100 kilometres and cut travel time by more than an hour compared to the existing Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2).

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

Addressing an awareness session, organised by the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Tuesday, he said interventions in sectors including sugar, cement and consumer goods have helped discourage collusive behaviour, improve market discipline and strengthen consumer protection.

He said that effective competition is fundamental to economic growth, innovation and consumer welfare.

He noted that awareness initiatives such as this help businesses better understand their legal obligations, encourage voluntary compliance and promote a culture of fair competition.

The business community was informed that the CCP was also preparing to address emerging competition challenges in digital markets and e-commerce, ensuring Pakistan’s competition regime remains aligned with international best practices.

He added that greater awareness of competition law and a clear understanding of the Commission’s mandate are essential for fostering a transparent, competitive and investment-friendly business environment in Pakistan. Mr Tarar said effective enforcement alone is insufficient to build a competitive economy.

“Awareness, education and stakeholder engagement are the most effective means of preventing violations before they occur,” he said, adding that voluntary compliance is fundamental to fostering a fair, competitive and investment-friendly business environment.

He noted that the Commission is expanding its competition advocacy initiatives through academia, chambers of commerce, trade associations and other stakeholders to build a stronger culture of compliance.

ICCI President Sardar Tahir Meh­m­ood described the chamber’s partnership with the CCP as an investment in Pakistan’s economic future.­

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

Brent crude futures were down $4.44, or 5.3pc, to $79.33 a barrel by 1:17 p.m. ET (1717 GMT). US West Texas Intermediate futures dropped $4.52, or 5.6pc, to $75.82 a barrel.

Both contracts hit their lowest prices since July 13.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

KARACHI: After a robust overnight rally, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday failed to sustain the momentum despite some progress on the peace deal between the US and Iran, as a section of investors resorted to profit-taking, forcing the benchmark KSE-100 index to close the session in the red despite a positive opening.

Topline Securities Ltd said the PSX experienced a highly volatile trading session, with the index giving up early gains amid broad-based profit-taking. After opening higher, investor sentiment weakened in the latter half of the session as selling pressure intensified across major sectors, erasing intraday gains.

The index settled at 177,083, down 1,116 points or 0.63 per cent. During the session, the index traded in a volatile range, touching an intraday high of 178,768 and a low of 177,043.

Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at Arif Habib Ltd, said the early gains were wiped out in the latter half as investors booked profits ahead of the close, leaving the market in negative territory.

On the macro front, the government reduced petrol and diesel prices by Rs4.08 and Rs2.45 per litre, respectively, after ex-refinery prices fell.

On the corporate front, Habib Bank reported a record 2QCY26 after tax profit of Rs18.4bn (earnings per share: Rs12.51), up 3pc year-on-year and 14pc quarter-on-quarter, taking 1HCY26 earnings to Rs34.4bn (EPS: Rs23.5), broadly flat year-on-year.

The bank also announced a cash dividend of Rs6 per share, bringing the cumulative 1HCY26 payout to Rs12 per share.

United Bank, Lucky Cement, Engro Holdings, Oil and Gas Development Company, and Pakistan Petroleum emerged as the largest drags on the benchmark, collectively eroding approximately 580 points.

Market participation weakened as trading volume fell 9.43pc to 711.2 million shares and turnover value tumbled 21.92pc to Rs25.87 billion.

Analysts expect the market to stay mostly range-bound to positive as investors evaluate ongoing corporate earnings reports and macroeconomic trends.

Declining fuel prices and easing inflation support optimism, though short-term profit-taking near highs may persist.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

DUBAI: Qatar said on Tuesday mediators were making progress in efforts to end the US-Iran war, driving oil prices lower, although Tehran has denied President Donald Trump’s assertion that talks are already under way.

Benchmark Brent crude fell more than four per cent after the comments from Qatar, extending Monday’s steep losses on hopes that an arrangement could soon be reached to restore traffic through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.

But for now, the strait remained virtually shut, with another ship coming under attack while trying to cross it.

Trump said on Monday that talks with Tehran had started and Iran faced a “last chance” to reach a deal. Iranian officials insisted no negotiations with the United States were taking place.

Instead, Iran’s foreign ministry spoke­sperson Esmaeil Baghaei spoke only of talks with Oman over transit through the Strait of Hormuz, saying they had been positive and were continuing.

These were focused on designating safe inbound and outbound lanes, state media quoted him as saying. He added the route being negotiated was aimed at ensuring the sovereign rights and national security of both Iran and Oman.

Nevertheless, senior US officials struck an optimistic tone, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both pointing to progress in discussions aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a corridor that normally carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

“There’s been progress made in those talks, but not finality yet. We’re hoping that will happen very shortly,” Rubio told reporters at the State Department.

He also said that the “denuclearisation of Iran” was the “ultimate deal”, Al Jazeera reported.

“I think there is a conversation and a negotiation that we are involved in between Iran and Oman on how more ships can be able to go through there safely in the short term, as we move towards … longer-term talks about [Iran’s] denuclearisation,” Washington’s top diplomat said.

Separately, Bessent said a deal with Iran on reopening Hormuz could be reached by Tuesday or Wednesday. “We are in talks with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalised position in this conflict,” he said in an interview with CNBC.

Asked if a deal would allow Iran to charge a toll on shipping using the strait, Bessent said: “I think it would be freedom of movement.”

Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said diplomatic contacts had reached “very progressive stages.” He said mediators including Qatar, Pakistan and Oman were coordinating closely to facilitate negotiations and exchange draft proposals between Washington and Tehran.

A senior Pakistani security official said: “Our sole goal at this moment is to make both parties at least agree to start talking.”

Trump’s comments followed his weekend decision to cancel plans for what he described as “massive attacks” on Iran.

Shipping risks remain

Iran has halted most traffic through Hormuz while Washington maintains a blockade of Iran-related shipping and ports. Yemen’s Houthis have also imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, further restricting oil export routes.

A cargo vessel reported being struck by an unidentified projectile near the Strait of Hormuz off Oman’s coast, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) maritime security agency.

Maritime sources told Reuters on Tuesday the vessel was a dry bulk ship. Its crew abandoned the vessel and one seafarer was missing.

In another incident, coast guards rescued the crew of an Indian-flagged commercial ship that sank in the Red Sea after an attack, an official in the Yemeni city of Mokha said, with New Delhi condemning the “unprovoked” aggression.

Iran has long demanded control over Hormuz, which it says it should share with Oman on the opposite shore.

A senior Iranian source said Tehran is seeking full control over inbound shipping and visibility over outbound traffic, with the ability to intervene if necessary.

Giving Iran such control would be a major shift in the regional balance of power and make it more difficult for Washington to argue that “Operation Epic Fury” had weakened Washington’s longstanding foe.

Concerns are mounting about the sustainability of the US military campaign. The US Army has used up much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during the war, raising concerns about the military’s readiness for future conflicts.

The missiles are principally the Army’s surface-to-surface weapons, known as Army Tactical Missile Systems and Precision Strike Missiles. The US has used “virtually all” of these weapons.

Prolonged pain

Gulf officials and analysts say Iran is betting it can outlast Washington by turning the region’s trade routes, shipping lanes and energy infrastructure into pressure points that steadily raise the cost of confrontation.

“Their big advantage is that they can hurt the regional states and the global economy,” said Michael Knights of the Washington Institute.

Trump has yet to achieve the objectives he set out at the start of the war: dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme, curbing its ability to attack regional rivals.

Meanwhile, the head of Saudi oil giant Aramco said the world had lost more than 2.6bn barrels of oil since the war began, warning global inventories were run­­­ning low despite measures to reroute flows.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

MUZAFFARABAD / ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidates appeared poised to secure one seat each in the two constituencies of Muzaffarabad division where polling was held on Tuesday after being fully or partially deferred on Sunday due to landslides and adverse weather that blocked roads and prevented the timely dispatch of polling staff and election material.

According to unofficial and unverified results available past midnight, PPP candidate Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi was maintaining a slender lead over his PML-N rival, Chaudhry Shahzad Mahmood, in LA-28 (Lachhrat). The final consolidation of results was under way when this report went to press.

Polling had been held at 122 of the constituency’s 174 polling stations on Sunday. However, after allegations that PPP workers had taken away ballot boxes, the Election Commission ordered repolling at two of those stations, along with polling at the remaining 52 stations where voting could not be held.

In LA-27 (Kutla), where polling had been postponed entirely, voting was held at all 197 polling stations on Tuesday.

According to unofficial results from all polling stations, PML-N candidate Noreen Arif and Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) candidate Sardar Tabarak Ali were separated by fewer than 200 votes, with Ms Arif holding a narrow lead.

PML-N leaders expressed confidence that the inclusion of votes cast by government employees on election duty would further consolidate Ms Arif’s lead.

Outside her residence, PML-N supporters celebrated by dancing to the beat of drums as counting continued late into the night.

Earlier, voting concluded at 5pm amid reports of scuffles and sporadic firing between rival political workers.

While both constituencies witnessed allegations of irregularities, the PPP focused most of its criticism on LA-27, whereas the PML-N levelled serious allegations regarding polling in LA-28.

In a complaint submitted to the Election Commission, PML-N election cell in-charge Hanif Malik alleged widespread violence, irregularities and voter suppression in LA-28, claiming that armed men resorted to firing and illegally occupied polling stations to inflate votes for the PPP candidate.

He alleged that the party’s polling agent at the Nazian polling station in Union Council Panjkot was forcibly expelled, after which polling was conducted unilaterally in favour of the PPP candidate. He further claimed that in Ghorian village of Union Council Muzaffarabad, firing and road blockades prevented PML-N supporters from reaching polling stations.

The PPP, on the other hand, alleged that polling staff in LA-27 had been “caught red-handed” with official ballot papers and polling bags inside the house of a PML-N supporter about two kilometres from the designated polling station.

The party also circulated a statement by its vice president, Sherry Rehman, in which she described the reports as alarming and said videos purportedly showing “rigging by the PML-N” had been submitted to the Election Commission, urging immediate disciplinary and legal action. Her allegations were repeatedly aired by several television channels.

However, Election Commission Senior Member Khawaja Muhammad Ahsan told Dawn that although a PPP worker had submitted videos to the commission, they were “vague and amounted to little more than unverified allegations”.

“Unless the footage is authenticated through proper forensic examination and corroborated by other credible evidence, it cannot be treated as proof,” he said.

The PPP also shared another complaint addressed to the Election Commission on X, accusing the PML-N of ballot stuffing at polling stations No. 95 and No. 97 in LA-28 and of obstructing the polling process by barring voters from casting their votes.

PML-N rejects claims

Minister of State for Interior and PML-N’s election coordinator for Poonch division, Tallal Chaudhry, rejected the PPP’s allegations of rigging in the AJK elections and took a swipe at PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, saying “leaders should not cry over defeat”, according to a statement issued by the interior ministry.

Presiding over a review meeting on the third phase of the AJK elections in Poonch division, Mr Chaudhry said the PML-N’s sweeping victory in the first two phases reflected public trust in the performance of the federal and Punjab governments.

“The people of Kashmir have voted for work and performance,” he told district constituency coordinators and PML-N candidates from Poonch division who attended the meeting.

Apparently responding to the PPP’s allegations of electoral malpractices, the minister said: “Bilawal Bhutto should show a big heart. Leaders do not look good when they cry over defeat.”

Muzaffarabad Deputy Commissioner Munir Ahmed Qureshi also rejected the PPP’s allegation that polling staff had stayed at the residence of a political figure near the Bheri polling station.

Meanwhile, AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retired) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal cast his vote in his native village of Balgran in LA-27. “Voting is a national trust and the responsibility of every citizen,” he said, adding that exercising the right to vote strengthened the democratic system.

The first phase of polling was held in AJK’s Mirpur division on July 27, in which the PML-N secured nine of the 13 seats while the PPP won the remaining four.

EC rejects postponement rumours

Separately, an Election Commission spokesperson dismissed reports that the third phase of elections in Poonch Division had been postponed.

“News circulating regarding the postponement of the elections is baseless and contrary to facts,” the spokesperson said, reiterating that polling in all constituencies of Poonch Division would be held on Aug 10 in accordance with the announced schedule.

Poonch Division comprises 11 constituencies — three in Bagh, one in Haveli, five in Poonch and two in Sudhnoti.

The spokesperson urged voters to ignore rumours and exercise their right to vote, adding that the commission would promptly inform the public if any change became inevitable.

On Monday, Chief Election Commissioner Mughal had said polling would definitely be held in three constituencies of Bagh district, one in Haveli district and one in Abbaspur of Poonch district, while the commission was also considering holding elections in the two Sudhnoti constituencies of Baloch and Palandri if the law and order situation improved.

He had said the commission was prepared to conduct polling in all constituencies except Rawalakot city and Thorar, provided voters rejected intimidation and the law and order situation permitted.

AJK speaker alleges fake votes

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar on Tuesday accused the Election Commission of failing to ensure free, fair and impartial elections, alleging that more than 14,000 “fake votes” had been cast in favour of his rival in LA-30 Khawra.

According to unofficial results, PML-N candidate Raja Saqib Majeed won the seat with 32,511 votes, defeating Mr Akbar by 8,554 votes.

Addressing a press conference, the senior PPP leader said he had been in electoral politics for four decades and had won several elections, including during military rule and under opponent governments in Islamabad.

“However, I have never witnessed elections as controversial as the ongoing ones in the territory’s history. By no stretch of the imagination can these be called free, fair and impartial,” he alleged.

Mr Akbar called for a forensic examination of the votes polled by his rival, saying the PPP was prepared to bear the cost.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

As a result, the Kara­koram Highway (KKH) was closed for traffic near Altashi Nullah in the Gini area of Chilas.

Authorities have war­ned that rising water levels in the Hunza, Nagar and Indus rivers, as well as other streams, posed a threat to downstream communities, with riverbank erosion reported in several areas.

Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods in various parts of the region, with Ghizer district among the worst affected where an artificial lake was created when flash floods in Mayon village blocked the Ishkoman River. According to local authorities, the artificial lake inundated Hasis village, submerging dozens of houses, agricultural land and public infrastructure.

Residents of the affected homes were evacuated after floodwater entered the village. Locals said at least 15 houses were damaged, while a school, a mosque, agricultural fields and other critical infrastructure remained under water. The Ghizer-Ishkoman Road was completely blocked by the artificial lake, severing road access to the Ishkoman Valley, though authorities later said water had started flowing out of the temporary lake.

Flash floods also damaged homes and agricultural land in Sherqila, while flooding was reported in Salpi, Aishi, Damas, Haim and Dilnati. Floodwaters also damaged roads and brought down electricity poles at several locations, disrupting power supply.

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Min­i­­ster Amjad Hussain directed the GB Disaster Management Authority and district administrations to expedite rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations.

In Gilgit district, cloudburst-indu­ced floods caused widespread damage in the upper reaches of Naltar Valley.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, the floods damaged 12 houses, destroyed agricultu­ral land and crops, and displaced several families. The Naltar Highway was blocked at multiple points, leaving tourists stranded.

In Upper Hunza, rapid glacial melting damaged sections of the Karakoram Highway near Gulmit. The administration said rising water discharge from Juchar Nallah in the Gojal area temporarily blocked the highway before it was reopened.

Jalalpur Pirwala embankments

As heavy monsoon rains also cau­s­ed urban flooding in several Punjab cities, provincial minister Khw­aja Salman Rafique visited flood-prone areas and protective embankments in Jalalpur Pirwala to review flood preparedness.

Accompanied by PDMA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa, the minister inspected flood embankments, rescue arrangements, evacuation plans and relief preparedness.

He said two protective embankments at Jalalpur Pirwala and Nooraja Bhatta had been built at a cost of Rs2 billion, while Rescue 1122 and other departments had been equipped with modern machinery and rescue equipment. He said the government had ensured adequate resources for flood protection.

Multan Commissioner Amir Karim briefed the minister that the newly completed 7.2-km embankment at Jalalpur Pirwala would protect the town from backflow in the River Chenab. Digital mapping of flood-prone areas had also been completed, while all departments remained on high alert.

According to the PDMA, widespread rainfall was recorded in Punjab, with authorities working to drain accumulated rainwater. The weather system is expected to persist until Wednesday.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

The announcement was made at a press conference at the National Press Club by the alliance’s leaders, including All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association President Muh­ammad Owais Chaud­hry Advocate, Malik Sha­fe­eullah Awan and Malik Nisar.

They said the transport sector was facing an unprecedented financial crisis due to repeated increases in diesel prices, higher taxes and other government measures. The transporters dema­nded that taxes on diesel be reduced and fuel prices be restored to their July 1, 2024, level.

Demands were also issued for a reduction in the withholding tax on cargo transporters from seven per cent to 2pc, arguing that oil tanker operators were already paying only 2pc.

The alliance also rejected a provision introduced in the Finance Act 2026 under which an entire vehicle could be confiscated if non-duty-paid goods were found on board.

Describing the measure as unjust and demanding its immediate withdrawal, the transporters urged the government to restore the previous system under which fines were imposed and vehicles released.

They also sought uniform implementation of axle-load regulations across the country, saying overloading should be checked at factories, warehouses and loading points rather than through roadside enforcement, which they alleged had become a source of revenue collection.

Among other demands, the transporters called for a simpler procedure for obtaining heavy transport vehicle driving licences, a reduction in toll taxes and an end to the daily adjustment of diesel prices. They demanded that fuel prices be revised fortnightly or monthly to provide greater certainty for transport operators.

All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association President Muhammad Owais Chaudhry said the current policies had pushed drivers, small transporters and vehicle owners paying instalments on financed trucks into severe financial hardship, making it increasingly difficult for them to continue operations.

“We have repeatedly approached the government through letters, meetings and media appeals, but no meaningful progress has been made,” he said.

It was jointly announced that unless the government entered into immediate negotiations and accepted their demands, all categories of goods transport, including cargo trucks, containers and oil tankers, would remain off the roads from Aug 8.

The alliance leaders said the strike would remain peaceful, adding that transporters would park their vehicles instead of blocking highways.

However, Mr Nisar warned that a prolonged shutdown could significantly affect imports, exports and the transportation of essential goods, adding that the government would bear responsibility for the consequences.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR/KARACHI: Reaffir­ming its unity, the opposition PTI will stage countrywide protests today (Wednesday) to mark three years since the imprisonment of party founder Imr­an Khan and demand his release, with the Peshawar gathering serving as the centrepiece of its campaign.

PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram told Dawn it had been decided that a public meeting would be held in Peshawar, while regional and local organisations in the other three provinces had been directed to hold protests at their convenience.

“It cannot be ignored that raids and crackdowns have been launched against PTI workers in other provinces, particularly Punjab, “ he said. Replying to a question, Mr Akram said that alth­o­u­­gh protests would be held, there would be no vio­len­­ce, as “there is no space for violence in PTI.”

“However, we expect that voters who supported PTI in the Feb 8 general elections will come out of their homes and show solidarity with Imran Khan,” he added. “We appeal to the entire nation to participate fully in the historic rally in Peshawar and in peaceful protests across the country, and to raise their voice for democracy, the Constitution, the rule of law, and the people’s right to rule,” Mr Akram said.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s sisters and PTI lawyers reached Adiala jail on Tu­­esday, but were not allowed to meet him.

Aleema Khan said the movement for Imran Khan’s release had already begun and hoped the KP chief minister would announce its next phase on Aug 5.

PTI focal person Advocate Awais Younas Chaudhry, while speaking to Dawn, said party lawyers had reached Adiala jail but were not permitted to meet Imran Khan.

Peshawar rally

PTI’s Khyber Pakhtun­khwa chapter will also hold a protest rally today near the Motorway in Peshawar and will be attended by PTI provincial president MNA Junaid Akbar Khan, Chief Minis­ter Sohail Afridi and other party leaders.

PTI Provincial Deputy Secretary Information Ikram Khattana told Dawn that the chief minister and other senior party leaders would announce the future line of action for Imran Khan’s release during the rally.

Karachi protest

In Karachi, PTI plans to stage a protest demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club today as part of its nation-wide protests, amid fears of a strong response from the city administration and law enforcement agencies.

The apprehensions were reinforced after PTI Karachi President Raja Azhar told Dawn that despite repeated requests and a written application seeking permission to hold the protest outside the press club, the administration had neither approved nor rejected the request.

Mr Azhar added that the silence had heightened concerns that the authorities might once again seal roads and restrict access to the venue.

Permission denied

Meanwhile, the Rawal­pindi district administration has rejected PTI’s application seeking permission to hold a public meeting at Liaquat Bagh, citing security concerns.

However, the party announced that it would hold protest demonstrations at Liaquat Bagh, Murree Road and other parts of the garrison city.

PTI leaders alleged that local police arrested nine party activists and workers from different parts of the district.

PTI District President Chaudhry Ameer Afzal met Deputy Commissioner Capt (Retired) Nadeem Nasir.

During the meeting, the DC informed him that the District Intelligence Committee had refused to grant permission for the public gathering because Youm-i-Istehsal-i-Kashmir would be observed on Aug 5.

After the meeting, PTI District President Chaudhry Ameer Afzal told Dawn that the party had no option but to take to the streets.

“We will stage protest demonstrations at Liaquat Bagh, Murree Road and other parts of the garrison city to demand the release of Imran Khan,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the shared target of $10 billion in bilateral trade, as Comm­erce Minister Jam Kamal Khan called for transforming “historic brotherly relations” with Iran into a robust economic partnership.

The renewed push for the ambitious target came as bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $3.129bn in the fiscal year 2024-25, almost three times lower than the projected target.

Full-year trade data for the fiscal year 2025-26 is yet to be compiled, but the first 10 months of the fiscal year placed bilateral trade volume at $2.277bn.

Bilateral trade between the two countries is carried out through a barter mechanism because of sanctions and the absence of banking facilities. Therefore, the Trade Deve­l­opment Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) compiles trade data based on Iranian customs figures, which are the primary source for this data.

Since March this year, both countries have rolled out a series of measures to facilitate border trade, including easing customs procedures, formalising Taftan as a customs station and notifying new transit routes, against the backdrop of the ongoing US-Iran conflict that has strained economies in the region and beyond.

The latest engagement took place at the 10th session of the Pak-Iran Joint Trade Committee (JTC), which is being held in Islamabad from Aug 3 to 5.

The meeting was co-chaired by Iranian Minister for Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Atabak and Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan.

On the occasion, Mr Kamal underscored the urgency of finalising the Pak-Iran Free Trade Agreement, according to a statement issued by the commerce ministry.

He called for the removal of barriers in border logistics and cargo movement, highlighting that joint border markets and electronic data interchange could significantly boost trade flows.

He also emphasised the need to promote investment, encourage joint ventures and strengthen business-to-business contacts to unlock new commercial opportunities.

The commerce minister called for operationalising and expanding border markets, promoting barter trade as a practical mechanism to facilitate bilateral commerce and enhancing trade facilitation measures to support businesses on both sides.

He said the private sector in both countries was prepared to expand trade, stressing that it was the responsibility of both governments to provide a “predictable and favourable” environment for businesses.

Mr Kamal expressed the hope that the JTC meeting would help develop a practical roadmap to transform trade connectivity and raise bilateral trade volume to its maximum potential, the statement said.

The Iranian minister described Pakistan as Iran’s “long-term strategic trade partner”, the statement said.

He expressed Tehran’s desire to expand regional trade and logistics cooperation through Karachi and Gwadar ports and voiced optimism that the Pak-Iran FTA would be concluded soon.

Dr Atabak said electricity trade and regional connectivity were “new avenues of economic opportunity” for both countries.

During the bilateral meeting, the two ministers reviewed progress on bilateral trade and agreed to further strengthen institutional cooperation, facilitate greater engagement between business communities, promote investment and joint ventures, encourage regular B2B interactions and accelerate implementation of mutually agreed initiatives aimed at enhancing trade, transit and economic cooperation.

Both sides expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their resolve to work closely for the timely implementation of agreed initiatives, with the shared objective of unlocking the full potential of Pakistan-Iran economic relations and achieving the $10bn annual bilateral trade target.

Pakistan’s major export to Iran is rice. It was agreed in Tuesday’s meeting that Tehran would enhance imports of other rice varieties from Pakistan.

Iran has also emerged as Pakistan’s biggest mango export market this year, recording growth of nearly 60pc.

Pakistan’s imports from Iran include petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons, besides other products.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

Five of the continents influential football leaders have issued statements that offer Infantino support while also welcoming the decision to drop his controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup revenue.

Their messages came ahead of a meeting of the Confederation of African Footballs executive committee on Thursday at which they will discuss the abandoned plan to raise $4.2 billion from a new commercial rights body.

While Asia, Europe and CONCACAF all said over the weekend they had lost confidence in Infantino’s leadership, CAF has kept its counsel, offering Infantino hope he can count on the support of its large membership as he looks to hold on to power at next March’s FIFA presidential election.

CAF only released a statement last Wednesday saying it would study Infantino’s FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, but he abandoned the project under intense pressure on Friday.

It remains an item on the agenda for the CAF meeting, although there is no guarantee African football’s governing body will take any stand on Infantino’s future.

But leading committee members say they are backing Infantino, including CAF vice-president Fouzi Lekjaa from Morocco and fellow FIFA Council members Hany Abo Rida (Egypt), Hamidou Djibrilla (Niger) and Ahmed Yhaya (Mauritania).

There has also been a statement of support from Veron Mosengo-Omba, recently elected president of the football federation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and former CAF general secretary, who studied at university in Switzerland with Infantino.

All released similarly worded messages welcoming Infantino’s decision to abandon the project before praising him and expressing support.

African countries helped Infantino to his election success in 2016 on the back of his promises to more than double development money dispensed to FIFA’s member associations.

It is this largesse that has helped keep him popular among African members, many of whom struggle financially and now largely depend on FIFA money to compete.

“Our problem is how to obtain money. Right now, we have no sponsors. So how do we compete? The richest nations can train players, have infrastructure and equipment, and it’s no coincidence that they then achieve results. Most European countries don’t have these problems,” said Sad Ali Athouman, the president of the Comoros Football Federation.

“Our government is not able to make sure that they have medical supplies in hospitals and at the same time to look at football. Malawi needs money. Malawi needs stadiums,” added Fleetwood Haiya, president of the Football Association of Malawi.

FIFA baseline funding guarantees each of its 211 member associations $8 million over a four-year cycle, plus CAF also now offers an annual grant to its members.

Gifting grants to member associations was first floated by Infantino’s predecessor, Sepp Blatter, when he stood for election against Lennart Johansson in 1998, and he won with backing from most African countries, who had never before received financial help from world football’s governing body, even though CAF formally endorsed the Swede, who was then UEFA president.

Infantino continued Blatter’s idea, although he renamed it from the Goal Project to FIFA Forward, and exponentially increased the monies.

“ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY”

While Infantino got the backing of African nations, pressure kept mounting on his as former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, appointed in 2019 by Infantino as FIFA’s chief of global football development, said in a statement that “the decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question”.

His remarks followed hot on the heels of an extraordinary internal email to FIFA staff, seen by AFP, in which secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom appeared to distance himself from Infantino on the issue.

Previously seen as close to Infantino, Grafstrom describes the fiasco surrounding the plan as “a sad and reproachable series of events”.

He adds: “Individuals, unstable moments and unfortunate episodes come and go. The institution, its mission and its responsibility towards world football continue.”

UEFA issued a letter through their lawyers in the US threatening legal action over what they had scathingly described as a “shabby, backroom, opaque deal”.

Both Grafstrom and Wenger as well as chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who had slammed the plan on Friday, are mentioned in the letter as being knowledgeable about the FFE and instructed to keep all “relevant materials”.

The damning remarks by both Wenger and Grafstrom — who shadowed Infantino throughout the World Cup — will twist the knife further.

Despite what UEFA’s lawyer wrote regarding keeping material pertinent to FFE, Wenger claims to have only learned about it through the media.

“I was not involved in this strategic plan,” the 76-year-old Frenchman said.

Grafstrom, for his part, tried to cheer up the staff by congratulating them on their work while admitting it had been “an extraordinary and challenging week”.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

The victory proved a source of some relief for the tourists who had already lost the three-match series by suffering defeats in the first two matches.

Chasing 114, Pakistan achieved the target for the loss of six wickets with 10 balls to spare. Right-handed middle-order batter Ayesha top-scored with a 31-ball 39 laced with six fours.

Ayesha’s team-mate and opener Shawaal Zulfiqar scored a 12-ball 21, which included three fours and a six.

For the hosts, captain Chamari Athapaththu and Kavisha Dilhari took two wickets each.

Earlier after being put into bat, Sri Lanka posted a modest 113-6 in the allotted 20 overs as left-handed Athapaththu (34) top-scored for the hosts, smashing five fours in her knock.

For Pakistan, 23-year-old Momina returned figures of two for 18 from four overs.

Prior to the T20 series, Pakistan faced Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series that was won by the hosts 2-1.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan women beat Sri Lanka women by four wickets.

SRI LANK 113-6 in 20 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 34, Sanjana Kavindi 20; Momina Riasat 2-18); PAKISTAN 115-6 in 18.2 overs (Ayesha Zafar 39, Shawaal Zulfiqar 21; Chamari Athapaththu 2-20, Kavisha Dilhari 2-24).

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

Taking an aggressive start, South Korea took lead in the 10th minute through Kim Hyeongjin who scored a beautiful goal on a penalty corner.

No team could score after this till the end of the second quarter as the visitors held a 1-0 lead.

Pakistan responded brilliantly in the second half as Hayat Zakria equalised with a field goal in the 32nd minute.

However, Korea hit back in the very next minute when Jang Ji Hun put them ahead 2-1 on a penalty corner. Pakistan retaliated strongly as Rana Waheed Ashraf scored a field goal in the 45th minute to make it two all.

Five minutes later, Kim Yong stunned the spectators by scoring a field goal to give Korea a 3-2 lead.

Making a superb comeback at this stage, Pakistan scored two goals through Abdul Reham and Shahid Hanan in field attempts in the 55th and 57th minutes, respectively to win the match and the series.

The fourth match of the series will be staged on Friday at the same venue.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

Stokes quit as England Test captain and retired from the international stage after a 2-1 Test series defeat by New Zealand in June.

The all-rounder had been dropped for the second Test against New Zealand after he and team-mate Gus Atkinson broke a team curfew in a nightclub incident following the opening match of the series.

Stokes said his turbulent four-year reign as captain had left him exhausted.

He famously reversed his One-day International retirement to play in the 2023 World Cup and England managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key last week said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Stokes were to return to Test action.

But Stokes, 35, said he is “definitely” not coming back to the Test arena while speaking on the ‘For the Love of Cricket’ podcast.

“I’m doing my level three coaching now while I’m still playing, because when the day comes that I’m not playing anymore, I’d love to be able to have all that stuff signed off and done,” Stokes said.

On his coaching plan, Stokes added: “I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach.

“And would I love to be coach of England one day? Absolutely. I just really like the idea of being in some form of leadership away from playing.”

Joe Root has been reappointed as England’s Test skipper after Stokes’ exit, with Harry Brook — who has served as vice-captain — overlooked for a promotion.

Brook was given Stokes’ endorsement but the white-ball captain’s nightclub incident in New Zealand, hours before leading England in an ODI, continues to cast a large shadow over him.

Stokes remains surprised that Brook was passed over, saying: “If you think someone’s going to be a good captain or a good leader, then just give them it.

“Even when I missed that Test match, I was like, ‘Why is Brooky (not the captain?) — he’s vice-captain’. And I sort of got it. I understood the reasoning why they were saying it.

“But I was still like ‘what message is that sending to him?’ He’s vice captain. And then the captain is not playing, but he’s not captain. What? “I had no leadership or captaincy experience when I took over.”

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

Petkovic, 62, who succeeded Djamel Belmadi in 2024, leaves the role just two months after signing a contract extension that was due to keep him in charge until 2028.

Under the Bosnian-born coach, Algeria qualified for the knockout stage of the World Cup for only the second time in their history, matching their achievement from 2014, helped in part by the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams.

However, their campaign ended in the last 32 with a 2-0 defeat by Switzerland. Algeria had also fallen short at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, exiting in the quarter-finals after a 2-0 loss to Nigeria.

The FAF did not name a successor to Petkovic, who was previously coach of Switzerland from 2014 to 2021.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

Right-handed Babar, who last scored a Test century in December 2022 against New Zealand at Karachi, was run out for 88 by Brandon King’s stunning direct throw from short cover before Pakistan’s middle order collapsed and reached 333-6 at lunch on third day.

Pakistan still trailed by 11 runs with Abdullah Shafique holding the fort at 132 not out and Sajid Khan unbeaten on 16.

King picked up a lower back injury and had to be stretchered off after he fell awkwardly as his sharp throw ran out Babar at the striker’s end when Abdullah refused to go for a tight single and Babar couldn’t recover his ground after running halfway to the wicket. West Indies dried up runs through some disciplined bowling from Jomel Warrican and Jayden Seales after Pakistan resumed at 266-2.

Babar and Abdullah, who rotated strike well on the second day, stretched their partnership to 183 before West Indies claimed three wickets for five runs.

Warrican was splendid with both the old ball and the second new ball as the left-arm spinner had debutant Awais Zafar (one) clean bowled when the batter came out of his crease for a big shot but completely missed the line of the ball.

Shamar Joseph then trapped Salman Ali Agha plumb leg before wicket and Warrican claimed his third wicket of the innings after West Indies took the second new ball when Mohammad Rizwan was bowled for 18.

On Monday, Abdullah struck his sixth Test century as Pakistan reached a strong position at stumps.

Just days after flying into the Caribbean as an emergency replacement, Abdullah ended the day unbeaten on 107 off 185 balls with 10 fours and two sixes decorating his impressive innings.

Babar, the only visitor to emerge with any credit from a disastrous second innings of the first Test when he finished unbeaten on 58, was again unbowed on 86.

His calm, classy innings occupied 126 deliveries, embellished by 10 fours and one six.

Putting aside those batting woes of a 90-run loss at the Brian Lara Stadium, Babar and the recalled Abdullah made the most of ideal batting conditions and pleasant weather, gathering runs in style in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 168.

Recalled after Shan Masood’s finger injury, Abdullah looked at ease in the unfamiliar position of number three when he replaced Imam-ul-Haq, who was dismissed by Shamar Joseph. It was his first opportunity since losing his place after the South Africa series at home last October.

He put on 64 attractive runs with Azan Awais, the opener flaying 10 fours in a 71-ball 55 before being adjudged lbw on television review to left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican.

Babar got into stride almost immediately and with the West Indies hampered by the unavailability of first Test match-winner Justin Greaves with a leg injury and captain Roston Chase ineffective with his off-spinners because of a lacerated finger, the tourists’ task was made that bit easier.

Yet nothing could take away from the excellence of Pakistan batters’ strokeplay and the manner in which they dominated an attack that had them on their knees six days earlier when they crashed to 71 for nine, eventually being dismissed for 120 in the last innings of the first Test.

Babar, who continues to face severe criticism for what is seen as a rather passive style of leadership, was in his element with bat in hand though, playing a vital guiding role in ensuring that Abdullah stayed focused.

When Abdullah reached his ton shortly before stumps, pulling a short ball to the midwicket boundary, Babar celebrated warmly with the 26-year-old.

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES (1st Innings) 344 (J. Greaves 73, R. Chase 70; Sajid Khan 4-85)

PAKISTAN (1st Innings, overnight 266-2):

Azan Awais lbw b Warrican55

Imam-ul-Haq c Warrican b Joseph14

Abdullah Shafique not out132

Babar Azam run out88

Awais Zafar b Warrican1

Salman Ali Agha lbw b Joseph0

Mohammad Rizwan b Warrican18

Sajid Khan not out16

EXTRAS (B-4, LB-2, NB-3)9

TOTAL (for six wickets, 95 overs)333

STILL TO BAT: Ali Usman, Ubaid Shah, Mohammad Ali

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-34 (Imam), 2-98 (Azan), 3-281 (Babar), 4-283 (Awais), 5-286 (Salman), 6-311 (Rizwan)

BOWLING: Roach 10-1-45-0 (2nb), Seales 16-3-48-0, Warrican 39-6-103-3, Joseph 13-0-68-2, Chase 7-0-22-0 (1nb), Hodge 10-0-41-0

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

“The International Cricket Council (ICC) considers this league as an unsanctioned/disapproved cricket event under the ICC Regulations on the Sanctioning of Events and Player Release and the tournament has not been sanctioned by the Zambia Cricket Union (ZCU) as well,” the PCB stated in a press release.

“The following disciplinary measures will be taken on individuals found to have participated in the said unsanctioned event without obtaining the requisite approvals from the PCB,” the statement said.

“A ban of two (02) years from the issuance of any PCB No Objection Certificate (NOC) for participation in approved overseas cricket leagues or events.

“Ineligibility for any cricketing, coaching, consultancy, mentoring and/or other assignments with the Pakistan Cricket Board and the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) for a period of two (02) year,” the statement added.

The PCB statement further said, “The ICC has further reiterated that all foreign players are required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their respective home Board before participating in overseas cricket events.

“The Regulations also place an obligation on Member Boards to take appropriate action against any player who participates in an unsanctioned event. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in action against the respective Member Board.”

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

“Michael Smith, a former South African cricketer, has been appointed batting coach of Pakistan men’s team. The 46-year-old will work with the team across both red-ball and white-ball formats,” the PCB announced.

Interestingly, Smith, whose first assignment will be a three-Test series in England this summer, is the fourth official picked for the said position during the last two and a half years by the PCB.

During the said time period, the PCB appointed former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf and former Pakistan assistant manager Shahid Aslam as batting coach. Following Shahid’s tenure, the board assigned the role to former Test batter and national selector Asad Shafiq.

Currently, Asad is accompanying the national team in West Indies where the Babar Azam-led team are featuring in a two-Test series.

Smith during his career played 89 first-class matches, 72 List-A matches and 16 T20s between 2003 and 2013. The right-handed batter scored 7,029 runs across the three formats, including nine centuries and 40 half-centuries.

A Level 4 qualified coach, Smith has previously served on the coaching staffs of three Pakistan Super League franchises — Islamabad United, Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans. He has also worked as batting coach with Australia’s Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania. This will be his first appointment as batting coach of a national team.

As a coaching consultant, Smith has also worked with South Africa’s KZN Inland and Eastern Province.

“Smith, who has been appointed on a two-year contract, will join the Pakistan squad ahead of the three-match Test series against England, commencing on Aug 19,” the PCB added.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

WASHINGTON: Alexandra Eala became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour-level singles title and Taylor Fritz claimed his first trophy of the season after both rain-delayed Washington Open finals were completed on Monday.

Eala stunned top seed Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 after the weather-hit women’s final resumed with the 21-year-old trailing by a set but leading 2-1 in the second, while third seed Fritz beat Spanish teenager Rafa Jodar 7-6(7/2), 6-4 in a tight men’s decider.

“I feel so much love. My first chance at a title knowing it won’t be the last and already having achieved this milestone for my career,” Eala said on court.

“I knew whatever happened after this match would have already been a win for me.”

Pegula, chasing a third Washington title after lifting the trophy in 2019 and 2021, was unable to stop the momentum swinging decisively in Eala’s favour.

The Filipina won 10 of the 13 games played after the restart, securing the second set before racing through the decider behind a dominant left-handed serve and fearless baseline hitting that drew increasingly vocal support from a partisan crowd despite Pegula playing on home soil.

“I want to congratulate Alex on an amazing tournament,” world number three Pegula said.

“To see how far you’ve come over the last couple of years when we first played, to see the amazing fans that follow you every place you go, it’s not fun to play against but I think it’s amazing.”

The victory extended Eala’s winning streak against top-10 opponents to five matches following victories over Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, twice, and Iga Swiatek.

The breakthrough title will propel Eala to a career-high world number 20 when the new WTA rankings are released.

“It’s an incredible milestone for me,” Eala told reporters.

“At the beginning of the week, there’s no way I’d have thought that I’d be holding this trophy. These things creep up on you, and I hold these moments really close to me.

“It was a very steep hill. Coming into the tournament, I knew that the competition was super strong and my draw was quite tough. Every match was a different set of obstacles. I’m really proud.”

FRITZ DELIVERS

Fritz, meanwhile, captured his first title of the year after edging 19-year-old Jodar in a contest delayed overnight by the same rain that interrupted the women’s championship.

Neither player dropped serve in the opening set before the American dominated the tiebreak, then broke early in the second and held firm despite late pressure from the Spaniard.

“It was just relief, like thank God I got it done,” Fritz said of his reaction to sealing the win. “It wasn’t so much as like a celebration, just thank God I’m done. I can just lay down for a second.”

Fritz said wind contributed to errors from both players in the tight first set.

“It was very windy in the beginning. I felt like it was very hard to control the ball,” he said. “There was a lot of errors and mistakes early on, but I did a great job of just serving well the whole first set.

“Even though I maybe wasn’t playing amazing, I still was holding and being in the match.

“I felt like I reeled it together really nicely in the tiebreaker. It was one of the better tiebreakers I have played in a while.

“I think I made all my first serves and put returns in the court. Just a very, very good breaker.

“Then I followed up, I played two very good return games to start the second set. That gave me the lead that I needed that I could hold onto for the match.”

The victory gives Fritz momentum heading into the Canadian Open, the final ATP Masters 1000 event before the US Open, where the home favourite will again be among the leading American hopes to end the country’s men’s Grand Slam singles title drought dating back to Andy Roddick’s 2003 triumph in New York.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

“Moses Hrgovic just got bigger. IBF World heavyweight Championship on the line, a new king will be crowned in London on Aug 29,” Queensberry Promotions said on X.

Itauma, 21, has an unbeaten professional record with 12 knockouts in 14 wins. Hrgovic, 34 and a 2016 Olympic bronze medallist, has 20 wins and one defeat.

Promoter Frank Warren told the BBC that Cuban Frank Sanchez, the IBF’s top-ranked challenger, had agreed to step aside and face the winner of the Itauma v Hrgovic fight at the O2 Arena.

“We paid (Sanchez) some money. We said whoever wins the fight, you’re not losing out and you’ll get the opportunity to fight for the title against the winner,” he said.

Warren said should Itauma beat Hrgovic and Sanchez there could then be an all-British double title battle in 2027 with WBO champion Daniel Dubois or challenger Fabio Wardley following a rematch between the two.

Russian Murat Gassiev is the WBA champion and Germany’s Agit Kabayel holds the WBC title.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

In the day’s opening match, Lahore Hawks outclassed Police 69-0. Hawks led 22-0 at halftime before significantly extending their advantage in the second half. Umar starred with five tries, while Arsalan and Waqas scored two each. Ahmad, Salman, and Hassan also crossed the line with one try each.

In the second fixture, Army comfortably defeated Desert Camels 48-5 after taking a comfortable 26-0 lead at halftime.

For Army, Mudassar scored three tries while Sadaqat, Wahab, and Rehman added one each.

Other than Lahore Hawks and Army, the tournament features Islamabad Jinns, Police, Wapda and Desert Camels Fort Abbas.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

The sisters, who have won 14 major doubles titles, last played doubles together at the 2022 US Open. They received a wild card into the tournament on Monday, with Venus Williams also set to play singles.

Other main draw wild cards in the women’s side of the ATP-WTA event include Sloane Stephens, Taylor Townsend, Caroline Dolehide and Elvina Kalieva.

Serena, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, lost in the Wimbledon first round in her first singles match in four years.

The 44-year-old had played a pair of doubles matches before that, but a knee injury saw her cancel plans to play with Venus.

Other singles wild cards for the Aug 8-23 event went to Czech Darja Vidmanova and France’s Lois Boisson.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

“Ajax has reached an agreement with Barcelona and Marc ter Stegen,” said the Dutch club in a statement.

The 34-year-old, who has been at Barcelona since 2014, has missed much of the last two seasons with serious injury issues.

With Joan Garcia established as Barca’s number one, the Catalans loaned Ter Stegen to Girona in January but in February he suffered a hamstring injury on his second appearance, ruling him out for the rest of the campaign.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

Raducanu, 23, is currently undergoing rehabilitation for the injury, with the US Open’s main draw due to kick off in four weeks.

Reuters has reached out to the Briton’s representatives for comment.

Raducanu has struggled with injuries and illness throughout this year, with a right foot injury she suffered last year affecting her early season preparations and campaign.

An illness in February forced her out again for more than two months, and in June she picked up the stress fracture that forced her out of Wimbledon.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

The third-seeded Egyptian secured victory 14-12, 11-3, 13-11 in a contest that lasted 42 minutes.

Khalil, ranked 55th in the world, displayed aggressive attacking play throughout the match, edging a tight first game before dominating the second and holding his nerve in a closely contested third to seal the title. He prostrated in the court in celebration after the final point.

“It’s an honour to win here in Pakistan and win in front of a legend like Jahangir Khan,” Khalil said after the match.

He added that his experience in Pakistan was great, he felt welcomed and expressed his desire to compete in the country again.

Reflecting on the final, the 21-year-old Khalil said: “Final was tough, he made me work for the win. I said it before that his hands are very deceptive and he had very good control and I am proud of myself to push through it.”

Nasir, who had impressed in the semi-finals with a straight-games victory over Egypt’s Yassin Elshafei, struggled to find his rhythm against the Egyptian’s relentless pressure and admitted afterwards that he wasn’t able to keep up with Salman’s pace.

“If you want to beat players of this caliber then you need to train at this level throughout the year,” the 32-year-old said. “When you don’t train at this pace you can’t match it against the players in top competitions.”

Despite the defeat, the veteran took positives from the tournament.

“I was able to perform good at a tournament after a long time,” he said. “I worked really hard to prepare for this tournament but obviously we don’t get enough opportunities to play in top events frequently. That’s why it was evident that Salman’s pace was a bit better than mine as he plays in tours more.”

Nasir added that his ranking will improve and he will get more chances in international events.

“All and all it was a good tournament for me and there will be Asian Games in the future and I am ready for it too.”

The final was attended by squash legend Jahangir Khan. The championship, organised under the auspices of the Sindh Squash Association, carried a total prize purse of $41,000.

Former six-time world champion Jahangir expressed his desire to see Pakistani players qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics and win gold medals, adding that to emulate legends like himself and Jansher Khan, players must focus solely on the sport and hard work.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

The 22-year-old enjoyed his most productive season last term, scoring eight goals for Real, including six in La Liga. His tally featured a hat-trick against Real Betis in January.

Garcia has signed a contract with Fulham until 2031, with the club holding an option to extend the deal by a further year.

Spanish media reported the transfer fee to be around 40 million euros ($46 million), while Real are understood to have retained a 30% sell-on clause.

Fulham appointed Arbeloa as head coach earlier this summer. The Spaniard previously worked within Real’s youth set-up before taking over the top job after Xabi Alonso was sacked in January.

Garcia was not the only young Spaniard to make the move from Real to west London. Attacking midfielder Cesar Palacios, 21, also joined Fulham after breaking into the Real first team under Arbeloa in recent months.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026

Monfils, playing his final season on the ATP Tour, energised the rain-weary late-night crowd, winning four straight games to take a 5-2 lead in the second set.

He was broken in his first attempt to serve out the match but made no mistake on his second, advancing to a second-round meeting with 12th-seeded Learner Tien.

“I felt like I played well,” Monfils said. “I was serving really good, tried to be very accurate with my first serve and then second serve tried to be super aggressive and then use my forehand. I felt more and more I could hold his pace.”

Monfils, coming off a first-round exit at Roland Garros, needed one hour and 38 minutes to dispatch Majchrzak, who won his first ATP title at s-Hertogenbosch in June.

Italy’s former top 10 contender Matteo Berrettini, coming back from an abdominal injury, played his first match since Wimbledon and lost 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 to Argentine Mariano Navone.

The 12-day event is missing world number one Jannik Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

Roland Garros champion and Wimbledon finalist Alexander Zverev is the top seed ahead of Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.

PLISKOVA ADVANCES

Meanwhile, former world number one Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic beat Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-4, 6-4 in the WTA Toronto Open.

Hungary’s Panna Uvardy was up 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 2-0 against Eva Lys when the German retired because of injury in a match in which she led the second set 5-2.

Among the winners, Poland’s Magdalena Frech defeated France’s Leolia Jeanjean 7-5, 6-3 to line up a meeting with third-seeded two-time champion Jessica Pegula.

Pegula beat Frech last week on the way to the final in Washington, where the American fell to Eala in the rain-delayed title match on Monday.

In other early matches, American Kayla Day beat Diane Parry of France 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to book a clash with fourth-seeded Coco Gauff.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026