Pakistan military says India is preparing for 'false flag operation'

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general Maj. Gen. Babar Iftikhar speaks during a press conference at the Pakistan Army headquarters in Rawalpindi on Feb. 27, 2020. (Photo courtesy: ISPR)
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Updated 04 June 2020
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Pakistan military says India is preparing for 'false flag operation'

  • Military spokesperson says the situation at the Line of Control is "alarming."
  • Says India can launch a "false flag operation" against Pakistan to divert attention from domestic woes 

ISLAMABAD: As tensions mount between nuclear-capable arch rivals India and Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan army spokesperson on Wednesday warned of "uncontrollable" and "unintended consequences" against any military adventurism by India. 
"A stage is being set to attempt adventurism and aggression against Pakistan in the coming months," Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, the director general of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), said at a local TV channel show. "We are ready and we will respond with full might," he added. 

He said that India was preparing another "false flag operation" to target Pakistan in an attempt to divert international attention from its troubles at the Line of Control (LoC) with China and the coronavirus management. 
The recent incident dubbed as "Pulwama 2" by India, in which an allegedly explosive-laden vehicle was linked to Pakistan and then after a sham operation buried deep in the ground in full media presence, was part of the series of steps leading to the final plan of targeting Pakistan, he said.   
The military spokesperson said the situation at the LoC was "alarming," with India now deploying artillery in civilian populated areas for maximum collateral damage.  

"In many instances, the Indian quad-copters violated Pakistani borders and were shut down, which was also covered by media," the official said. 
According Pakistan’s foreign ministry, India committed over 1,100 ceasefire violations along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) this year alone.

He further said that "India's senior military leadership frequently talks of infiltration from different launch pads (inside Pakistan) which I think questions their professional capability as well, as to how someone could anyone infiltrate through such a heavily guarded border in one of the most militarized zones in the world?"
Maj Gen Iftikhar said that Pakistan had allowed UN military observer groups and international media to visit Kashmir and that India should do the same. "Let's not play with fire here," warned the Pakistani military spokesperson. 


Pak-Qatar becomes Pakistan’s first dedicated family takaful operator to list on PSX

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Pak-Qatar becomes Pakistan’s first dedicated family takaful operator to list on PSX

  • Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Limited’s initial public offering raises $3.2 million, says company
  • Company says remains committed to strengthening Pakistan’s Islamic financial eco-system

KARACHI: The Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Limited (PQFTL) became the first dedicated family Takaful operator to be listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the company announced on Thursday, saying the development would strengthen the ecosystem for Islamic financial products and services in the stock market. 

PQFTL is the country’s first and largest dedicated shariah-compliant family risk-protection provider, holding 44 percent of the total family takaful market and more than 90 percent of the fully dedicated segment, with a nationwide presence of 73 branches and 1,971 field representatives.

The company announced in a statement last month it would offer 50 million shares, starting at a floor price of Rs14 per share ($0.05), with a ceiling of Rs21 per share ($0.07). Of the total issue, 37.5 million shares will be allocated to institutional investors, while 12.5 million shares will be offered to the general public.

In its latest statement, the PQTFL said the book building and public subscription portions of its Initial Public Offering (IPO) were oversubscribed by 3.2 times and 3.8 times, respectively, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company and Pakistan’s Islamic financial ecosystem.

“The IPO raised Rs901 million [$3.2 million], achieving a 29 percent premium, reflecting strong investor interest and positive market perception,” the statement said. 

“This historic milestone and response from investors underscore PQFTL’s exceptional financial resilience, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment to Shariah-compliant excellence,” it added. 

The company said over 8,200 investors participated in the IPO, making it one of the highest investor turnouts in Pakistan’s insurance and Takaful sector. 

“The offering attracted a diverse mix of institutional investors, insurance companies, family offices, corporate investors, and a significant number of individual investors,” it said. 

Muhammad Kamran Saleem, a member of the board of directors of the PQFTL, said the company’s listing on the stock exchange was a “historic achievement.”

“The overwhelming response from investors demonstrates deep trust in our business fundamentals, Shariah governance standards and strategic vision,” he said. 

“We are grateful to Allah Almighty for this historic achievement and we remain committed to strengthening the Islamic financial eco-system and long-term sustainable value creation to all our stakeholders.”

PQFTL said the IPO proceeds will help it in meeting regulatory capital requirements, expand digital distribution channels, enhance product innovation and drive customer-centric growth initiatives.