Bahrain presents top military award to Pakistan's army chief

Pakistan's army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, left, being conferred Bahrain's top military award from Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad on Jan. 7, 2021. (Photo courtesy: @BahrainCPnews/Twitter)
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Updated 08 January 2021
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Bahrain presents top military award to Pakistan's army chief

  • General Bajwa received The Order of Bahrain (First Class) award from Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad while visiting the Arab country
  • Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy close diplomatic relations that are largely based on bilateral trade and defense cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, received Bahrain's top military award from Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad while visiting the Arab state on Thursday.

The Order of Bahrain (First Class) was awarded to the army chief on behalf of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in a small gathering attended by senior officials of the two countries.

Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy close diplomatic relations and their top leaders have frequently visited each other in the past.

The two countries have largely built their relationship on trade, foreign direct investment and defense cooperation.

Bahrain also provides employment opportunities to Pakistani laborers who play an important role in their nation's economy by sending remittances to their homeland.


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.