Pakistan commends OIC for empowering females during ongoing summit on girls’ education

Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha (left), calls on Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad, Pakistan, on January 11, 2025. (Government of Pakistan)
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Updated 12 January 2025
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Pakistan commends OIC for empowering females during ongoing summit on girls’ education

  • Pakistan’s deputy PM meets OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha in Islamabad 
  • At least 150 dignitaries from 44 Muslim and other friendly states are attending summit

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met the chief of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) this week to laud the inter-governmental organization’s efforts in empowering women, the foreign office said, as Islamabad hosts a two-day conference on girls’ education in Muslim communities. 

Dar met OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha, who is in Islamabad to take part in the International Conference on “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities.”

The global summit, which aims to find ways to advance girls’ education across the Muslim world, is being attended by over 150 dignitaries from 44 Muslim and other friendly states, according to Pakistan’s foreign office.

“Welcoming the OIC delegation to Pakistan, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister commended the OIC’s dedication and commitment to women empowerment and its unwavering focus on girls’ education in the Islamic countries,” the foreign office said on Saturday. 

During the meeting, the two sides discussed Israel’s war in Gaza and the situation in the Middle East, Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, Islamophobia, discrimination, violence against Muslims worldwide and the role of OIC in that regard. 

“The DPM/FM commended the appointment of OIC’s Special Envoy on Islamophobia to help coordinate the work of the Organization and its Member States for addressing discrimination against Muslims all over the world,” the statement added. 

The two-day conference resumed today, Sunday, and will see an "Islamabad Declaration" announced at the end that would outline decisive steps to transform girls' education in Islamic countries.


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.