A notification issued on November 4 confirmed the status of the federation, which is currently led by president Jahangir Khan and Mansoor Ali Khan. The board's decision maintains the provisional affiliation originally granted to the body on March 31, 2026.

The Pakistan Sports Board has directed the federation to ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements set out in the Pakistan Sports Board Constitution of 2022. This move aims to provide a clear governing structure for the sport.

Padel has experienced significant growth in Pakistan over the last decade, particularly within younger demographics and expatriate communities. The sport, which incorporates elements of both tennis and squash, has seen an increase in court facilities and participation levels.

The administrative status of the sport had been subject to internal disputes, with multiple groups claiming authority over its governance. The Pakistan Sports Board has spent recent months evaluating these claims to resolve the leadership impasse.

The federation is now expected to continue its operations under the provisional framework while working toward meeting the long-term criteria for full affiliation. The Pakistan Sports Board will continue to monitor the federation's adherence to its constitutional mandates.

National record-holder Shajar Abbas headlined the day for WAPDA, winning the men's 100-metre title with a time of 10.20 seconds. His performance confirmed his status as the fastest man in Pakistan, finishing ahead of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Attaullah, who took silver, and HEC's Haseeb, who claimed bronze.

In the women's 100-metre final, WAPDA's Faiqa Riaz secured the gold medal in 11.56 seconds. The race saw HEC's Hawla finish with the silver medal, while Sindh's Iqra Riaz rounded out the podium by taking the bronze.

The championships began with a notable achievement for Sindh, as Mah Noor Fatima clinched the first gold medal of the event in the women's 5,000-metre race walk. She completed the distance in 32 minutes and 32.40 seconds, finishing ahead of WAPDA's Amara Munawar and Punjab's Saira.

WAPDA continued their successful campaign in the men's 20-kilometre race walk, where Muhammad Waqas claimed the gold medal. The event saw Pakistan Navy's Muhammad Younis Khan secure the silver, while WAPDA's Muhammad Gulfam added to his team's tally with a bronze medal finish.

Field events also featured prominently on the opening day, with HEC's Khadija Mehreen, representing Superior University Lahore, winning the women's shot put. Her winning throw measured 10.85 metres, placing her ahead of WAPDA duo Samia Sahar and Amna Ashiq, who took second and third place respectively.

The middle-distance events further solidified WAPDA's dominance. Nazia Ehsan won the women's 1,500 metres in a time of 5:09.78, with HEC athletes Gonash Batool and Javeria Bibi taking the silver and bronze medals respectively.

In the men's 1,500 metres, Sohail Amir secured another gold for WAPDA. HEC's Abdul Wahab finished in second place, while WAPDA's Muhammad Akram completed the podium by finishing third.

The 54th edition of the National Athletics Championships continues to serve as a primary platform for identifying top athletic talent across Pakistan. The opening day results highlighted the significant influence of institutional teams like WAPDA and HEC in the national sporting landscape.

Athletes from various provinces and departments are competing in the event, which features a diverse range of track and field disciplines. The championships are expected to continue over the coming days as participants vie for national honours.

The performance of Shajar Abbas remains a highlight of the tournament, given his established record in national sprinting. His ability to maintain top speed in the 100-metre event continues to set the benchmark for competitors in the country.

The race walking events provided a test of endurance for the participants, with the 20-kilometre distance for men and 5,000-metre distance for women drawing significant attention. These events remain a staple of the national championship schedule.

The shot put competition demonstrated the competitive nature of the field events, with close margins between the top three finishers. Khadija Mehreen's victory provided a rare gold for the HEC contingent amidst WAPDA's overall success.

As the championships progress, attention will shift to the remaining track and field events. The organisers have structured the competition to ensure that athletes have the opportunity to showcase their skills in both individual and team-based formats.

The results from the first day provide a clear indication of the current form of Pakistan's leading athletes. Coaches and selectors are closely monitoring the performances as they look toward future national and international commitments.

The Karachi venue has been prepared to host the multi-day event, with officials ensuring that all standard athletics protocols are followed. The atmosphere on the opening day reflected the competitive spirit of the participating athletes.

WAPDA's performance on the opening day underscores their long-standing commitment to developing athletic talent. Their success in multiple events suggests a well-structured training programme that continues to yield results at the national level.

The 54th National Athletics Championships will conclude after all scheduled events have been contested. Further updates on the medal tally and individual performances are expected as the competition moves into its next phase.

Spectators and officials are looking forward to the upcoming finals, which are expected to be highly contested. The event remains a vital component of the domestic sports calendar in Pakistan.

The dedication shown by the athletes, particularly in the endurance and sprint events, highlights the growing standard of athletics in the country. The organisers remain focused on maintaining the momentum established on the opening day.