Pakistan will host professional squash tournaments for the first time since January later this year ©PSF

Pakistan will host professional squash tournaments for the first time since January when the Pakistan Open Men's Squash Championship and the Chief of the Air Staff International Women Squash Championship take place later this year.

Both tournaments will be held in Islamabad from December 19 to 23.

It follows last month’s decision by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) to begin sanctioning World Tour events in the country again.

Staged at the Mushaf Squash Complex and PSB Roshan Khan Squash Complex, the men's and women's tournaments will offer prize money of $50,000 (£36,900/€41,600) and $25,000 (£18,400/€20,800) respectively.

These events will be under the strict supervision of the PSA's security consultants, Sports Risk.

PSA chief executive Alex Gough revealed the decision to impose the ban on Pakistan was made in February after extensive consultation with Sports Risk in relation to security issues.

He added that the world governing body is now "satisfied that there are no immediate security concerns".

Any sanctioning of future PSA World Tour events in Pakistan will be dependent on the execution and the security of the two tournaments.

"We are delighted to confirm that professional squash tournaments will return to Pakistan," said Gough.

"We look forward to working with both the tournament promoters and the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) in the coming months and hope that a successful tournament will enable us to add more tournaments based in Pakistan to the calendar in the future."

Pakistan has produced squash legends such as Jahangir Khan ©Getty Images
Pakistan has produced squash legends such as Jahangir Khan ©Getty Images

Squash is extremely popular in Pakistan with the country producing greats of the game such as Jahangir Khan.

However, security fears and the risk of terrorism have prevented tournaments from taking place. 

The country has at times endured a tense political relationship with India, with which it shares a border of nearly 3,000 kilometres. 

Pakistan withdrew from April's Asian Squash Championship in Indian city Chennai after claiming they were not issued visas in time.

Four players, Farhan Mehboob, Farhan Zaman, Waqar Mehboob and Tayyab Aslam, were due to compete.

"The entire Pakistani nation is very excited about conducting these tournaments," added PSF honorary secretary, Tahir Sultan.

"Pakistan will warmly welcome all international players for the tournaments and will provide requisite security to all players.

"We are also looking forward to conducting more tournaments with more prize money in the year 2018."