Punjab Assembly session suspended without CM’s election, new governor appointed

Pakistani legislators of Punjab province take oath in the first assembly session in Lahore on April 9, 2008. (AFP/FILE)
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Updated 03 April 2022
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Punjab Assembly session suspended without CM’s election, new governor appointed

  • Development comes shortly before crucial no-trust vote against PM Imran Khan in parliament
  • In Punjab, Pervaiz Elahi and Hamza Shehbaz are running for the chief minister’s post

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal government on Sunday appointed Omar Sarfraz Cheema the governor of Punjab province, a federal minister said, shortly before the provincial assembly resumes its session to elect a new chief minister of the province.
Punjab, the most populous province of the country, has been without a chief minister after Usman Buzdar stepped down from the post earlier this week, when Prime Minister Imran Khan nominated Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, a leader of a key coalition party, as the new chief minister.
“Omar Sarfraz Cheema has been appointed the new Punjab governor,” Pakistani Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said on Twitter.

 


In an earlier tweet, Hussain made the announcement regarding the removal of Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar as governor.
The provincial assembly in Punjab is scheduled to resume its session today, Sunday, to elect the new chief minister this afternoon.
The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is supporting Elahi for the chief minister’s post, while opposition parties are backing Hamza Shehbaz from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, who also enjoys the support of a group of dissident lawmakers of the ruling party led by estranged PTI leader Jahangir Tareen.
“The Punjab Assembly will resume its session in Lahore today (Sunday) at 1130 Hrs,” state-run Radio Pakistan reported. “During the proceedings, the members will elect the Leader of the House.”
The developments come against the backdrop of the toughest challenge yet for Khan’s government as the Pakistan parliament votes on a no-confidence motion against the prime minister today, Sunday.
Hamza’s father and opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif has been nominated for the prime minister’s post by the opposition, which appears to have the required 172 votes in the 342-member National Assembly to oust Khan.

 


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

Updated 01 January 2026
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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.