Pakistan Archives - FutureSoch

Pakistan posts 387, secures first-innings lead over West Indies

August 4, 2026 by Newsdesk

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Pakistan were bowled out for 387 in their first innings on the third day of the second Test against the West Indies on Tuesday, securing a 43-run lead after the hosts posted 344.

Resuming on 266-2, Pakistan built on a solid overnight position through captain Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique, but the partnership ended when Babar fell for 88 off 147 balls, missing out on a century by 12 runs. His innings included 10 fours and one six.

Pakistan then lost two more wickets in the space of six deliveries before wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan added 25 runs with Abdullah Shafique. Rizwan scored 18 before being bowled by Jomel Warrican.

Abdullah Shafique anchored the innings with a composed 153 off 312 balls, while Sajid Khan contributed 30 before Pakistan were dismissed for 387, earning a 43-run first-innings advantage.

Earlier, the West Indies had elected to bat first after winning the toss and were dismissed for 344. Sajid Khan led Pakistan’s bowling attack with four wickets, while Obaid Shah, Mohammad Ali and Ali Usman claimed two wickets each.

The West Indies lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the opening Test.

Pakistan exempt from new US visa bond program

August 4, 2026 by Newsdesk

WASHINGTON: Pakistani nationals have been exempted from a US visa bond program that requires citizens of certain countries to provide a refundable financial guarantee of up to $20,000 when applying for visitor visas.

Under the program, which has been made permanent after initially being introduced as a pilot in 2025, applicants from designated countries seeking business or tourist visas may be required to pay a refundable bond ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the assessment of immigration authorities.

According to international reports, the list includes 50 countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and several African nations. The maximum refundable bond for eligible applicants has been increased from $15,000 to $20,000 under the updated policy.

Pakistan is not included in the list of countries subject to the visa bond requirement. Afghanistan, India and Iran are also not part of the program, meaning their citizens will not be required to post the refundable financial guarantee under the policy.

West Indies all out for 344 against Pakistan in first innings

August 3, 2026 by Newsdesk

PORT OF SPAIN: West Indies cricket team were bowled out for 344 in their first innings against Pakistan national cricket team on the opening day of the second Test.

Pakistan were 121 for 2 in 26 overs in their first innings at stumps after bowling out the West Indies for 344 on the opening day of the second Test.

Captain Babar Azam was unbeaten on 19, while Abdullah Shafique remained not out on 32, guiding Pakistan after the early loss of two wickets.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the hosts posted a competitive total, led by half-centuries from Justin Greaves, who scored 73, and Roston Chase, who made 70.

Brandon King contributed 46 runs, while Shai Hope scored 29 and Amir Jangoo added 26.

For Pakistan, Sajid Khan claimed four wickets, while Ubaid Shah, Mohammad Ali and Ali Raza took two wickets each.

Earlier, West Indies captain Roston Chase opted to bat first after winning the toss. Pakistan captain Babar Azam said his side would also have chosen to bat first and vowed to play positive cricket.

West Indies entered the match with a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

Pakistan raises LNG prices by record $6.45 per MMBTU

August 1, 2026 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded the highest-ever increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices, with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) raising the sale price for July by up to $6.45 per MMBTU.

According to an OGRA notification, the LNG sale price has increased significantly, with the rate on the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) system rising to $25.83 per MMBTU.

The LNG price on the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) system has also increased to $25.80 per MMBTU, according to the notification.

The increase comes as Pakistan had to purchase five expensive spot LNG cargoes in July due to the tense situation in the Middle East, resulting in a sharp rise compared with June prices.

Despite regional tensions, Pakistan received a new LNG cargo from Qatar; however, higher global market costs pushed domestic LNG prices to record levels.

Pakistan repays $2.2b in external debt, including $1.4b Chinese loan

July 30, 2026 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan repaid $2.2 billion in external debt in July, including a $1.4 billion commercial loan from China, as part of efforts to reduce debt-servicing pressure and strengthen the country’s external financial position, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad said.

Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Ahmad said Pakistan’s external debt repayment obligations for the current fiscal year have declined from $26.5 billion to $21.5 billion, while about $3.5 billion will be paid in interest.

The SBP governor said the government expects the $1.4 billion Chinese commercial loan to be refinanced by Chinese banks within the next few weeks, although the rollover has not yet been completed.

He added that Pakistan will also require the rollover of about $12 billion in deposits and loans from Saudi Arabia and China during the fiscal year.

Ahmad said the central bank purchased $28 billion from the foreign exchange market over the past three years to build Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. Of the $2.2 billion repaid in July, $1.4 billion was used to settle the Chinese commercial loan, while the remaining $800 million was allocated to servicing other external liabilities.

The governor said the government’s strategy of managing external repayments while increasing foreign exchange reserves is aimed at easing financing pressures and maintaining macroeconomic stability.

Pakistan plans seven-batter lineup for first Test against West Indies

July 24, 2026 by Newsdesk

TRINIDAD: Pakistan’s team management has begun finalizing its playing XI for the opening Test against the West Indies, with plans to field seven specialist batters in the series opener, according to sources.

The likely lineup includes Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan, while Salman Ali Agha is also expected to feature and provide the team with a fifth bowling option.

Sources said Aamir Jamal and Mohammad Abbas are likely to retain their places in the XI, while left-arm spinner Ali Usman is in line to make his Test debut. One of Khurram Shahzad or Mohammad Ali is expected to complete the pace attack.

The team management has also advised the bowlers to improve their batting, with the final playing XI to be confirmed after assessing the players’ fitness ahead of the match.

The first Test between Pakistan and the West Indies begins on Saturday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, where curators have prepared a grass-covered pitch featuring brown grass instead of the traditional green surface.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and the West Indies unveiled the trophy for their upcoming Test series ahead of the opening match at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam and West Indies captain Roston Chase took part in the trophy unveiling ceremony, posing with the silverware at the venue where the first Test will be played.

The opening Test of the series is scheduled to begin on July 25, with both teams aiming for a strong start in the two-match contest.

US targets Pakistan, 60 other nations with new import tariffs

July 24, 2026 by Newsdesk

WASHINGTON: The United States has imposed new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from more than 60 trading partners, including Pakistan, citing their failure to effectively prevent the import and trade of goods produced through forced labor.

The new tariffs took effect on July 24, with imports from Pakistan and several other countries subject to a 10% tariff, according to the U.S. administration.

The move marks the latest effort by President Donald Trump to revive his global tariff agenda. Earlier, in February 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the implementation of additional tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% that had been imposed under Trump’s earlier trade policy.

The latest measures have been introduced under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act, with US officials saying the affected countries have failed to adequately enforce laws prohibiting imports made with forced labor.

Countries facing the 10% tariff include Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Canada, Cambodia, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Trinidad and Tobago, while imports from another 38 countries will be subject to a 12.5% tariff.

The US administration said the new duties do not apply to imports such as crude oil, natural gas, certain agricultural commodities, and fertilizers. Products already covered under Section 232 national security tariffs, including steel, aluminum, automobiles, and copper, are also exempt.

Several US trading partners, including Australia and Brazil, criticized the decision as unfair and said they would seek its reversal, while Norway rejected the allegations, calling the tariffs unjustified.

Pakistan to tour England for five-match ODI series ahead of 2027 World Cup

July 23, 2026 by Newsdesk

LAHORE: Pakistan will tour England in May 2027 for a five-match One-Day International (ODI) series, providing both teams with valuable preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup later that year.

The series will be played from May 15 to May 26, 2027, with matches scheduled in Southampton, Manchester, Leeds, Chester-le-Street, and Cardiff.

The opening ODI will be held in Southampton on May 15, followed by matches in Manchester on May 19, Leeds on May 21, Chester-le-Street on May 23, and the fifth and final ODI in Cardiff on May 26.

The series is expected to serve as an important tune-up for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which is scheduled to take place from October 4 to November 21, 2027, across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Pakistan is currently ranked fifth in the ICC Men’s ODI rankings, while England sits seventh. Pakistan last toured England for an ODI series in 2021, when the two sides contested a three-match series.

Iranian Interior Minister arrives in Pakistan for high-level talks

July 20, 2026 by Newsdesk

ISLAMABAD: Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni arrived in Islamabad for an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and discussing regional security, amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed Momeni at the airport, where Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry were also present to receive the visiting delegation.

Momeni is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes the governor-general of Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province, the deputy interior minister, the deputy minister for urban development and transport, the head of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), the special representative of Iran’s agriculture minister and other senior officials.

Later, the Iranian minister held talks with Naqvi in Islamabad, where both sides reviewed bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, Momeni described Pakistan-Iran ties as exemplary and thanked the Pakistani government and people for their hospitality.

Naqvi expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen cooperation between the neighboring countries and voiced hope for positive developments on regional issues. He said Pakistan looked forward to expanding bilateral engagement and supporting efforts to ease regional tensions.

During his visit, Momeni is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces.

The visit comes as Iran and the United States remain engaged in renewed tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, while diplomatic contacts between Tehran and Washington continue through mediators despite recent hostilities.

Pakistan has said it will continue encouraging dialogue and support efforts to reduce tensions under a memorandum of understanding it helped facilitate last month.

BTS’ V expresses curiosity about Pakistan’s food and culture

July 20, 2026 by Newsdesk

SEOUL: Kim Taehyung, better known as V of the globally popular South Korean group BTS, delighted Pakistani fans after expressing interest in visiting Pakistan and trying the country’s famous cuisine during an online interaction with fans.

The conversation took place during a recent live online session when a Pakistani fan invited V to visit the country.

Smiling, the singer responded by asking whether he would get to eat biryani and karahi in Pakistan, prompting an enthusiastic response from fans on social media.

Pakistani fans flooded online platforms with invitations, sharing photos of traditional dishes and encouraging the BTS member to visit the country.

During the same session, V also interacted with fans from other South Asian countries. Responding to an Indian fan, he said he hoped to visit India in the future. He also told Bangladeshi fans he was interested in learning more about the country and expressed a desire to visit Cox’s Bazar and the Pink Palace Museum.

Despite V’s comments, BTS has not announced any concerts or tour dates for South Asia, and the group’s upcoming world tour schedule does not currently include Pakistan, India or Bangladesh. Millions of BTS fans live across the region, but the group has yet to perform an official concert in South Asia.