Pakistan test-fires air-launched cruise missile months after clash with India

Pakistani jet prepares to take off to conducted the flight test of the indigenously developed Taimoor Weapon System on January 3, 2025. (PAF)
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Updated 03 January 2026
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Pakistan test-fires air-launched cruise missile months after clash with India

  • The indigenously developed ‘Taimoor’ missile has a range of 600 kilometers and carries a conventional warhead
  • The missile is designed to fly at low altitudes, which enables it to evade hostile air, missile defense systems

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has successfully conducted a test of an air-launched cruise missile, ‘Taimoor,’ the Pakistani military said on Saturday, marking another significant milestone in advancement of national aerospace and defense capabilities.

The indigenously developed Taimoor weapon system is capable of engaging enemy land and sea targets with high precision. The missile has a range of 600 kilometers and carries a conventional warhead.

The missile test comes months after a brief but intense military conflict between Pakistan and India in which the nuclear-armed neighbors exchanged missile and artillery fire and deployed drones and fighter jets.

Equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and guidance system, Taimoor is designed to fly at very low altitudes, enabling it to effectively evade hostile air and missile defense systems.

“Its precision-strike capability significantly enhances the conventional deterrence and operational flexibility of Pakistan Air Force, further strengthening the country’s overall defense posture,” said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.

“The successful flight test underscores the technical maturity, innovation and self-reliance achieved by Pakistan’s defense industry.”

The missile’s launch was witnessed by senior officers of the armed forces along with distinguished scientists and engineers, who played a pivotal role in the development of this advanced weapon system.

PAF’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu congratulated the scientists, engineers and the entire PAF team on this remarkable achievement, lauding their professional excellence, dedication and unwavering commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s defense capabilities.

“The air chief reaffirmed that such accomplishments are a testament to the nation’s resolve to achieve technological self-sufficiency and maintain a credible conventional deterrent in the evolving regional security environment,” the ISPR said.

“The successful test of the Taimoor weapon system reflects Pakistan Air Force’s continued pursuit of operational readiness, technological superiority and national security objectives.”

Pakistan has placed greater emphasis on battle readiness in recent months. On Dec. 15, Pakistan Navy test-fired surface-to-air missile in the northern Arabian Sea.

Prior to that, Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir visited frontline garrisons of Gujranwala and Sialkot to observe a field training exercise involving tanks and drones, where he had highlighted the importance of technological adaptability, saying modern warfare required agility, precision, situational awareness and rapid decision-making.


Pakistan regulator amends law to facilitate capital raising by listed companies

Updated 19 January 2026
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Pakistan regulator amends law to facilitate capital raising by listed companies

  • The amendments address challenges faced by listed companies when raising further capital from existing shareholders through a rights issue
  • Previously, listed companies were prohibited from announcing a rights issue if the company, officials or shareholders had any overdue amounts

KARACHI: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has notified amendments to the Companies (Further Issue of Shares) Regulations 2020 to facilitate capital raising by listed companies while maintaining adequate disclosure requirements for investors, it announced on Monday,

The amendments address challenges faced by listed companies when raising further capital from existing shareholders through a rights issue. Previously, listed companies were prohibited from announcing a rights issue if the company, its sponsors, promoters, substantial shareholders, or directors had any overdue amounts or defaults appearing in their Credit Information Bureau (CIB) report.

This restriction constrained financially stressed yet viable companies from raising capital, even in circumstances where existing shareholders were willing to support revival, restructuring, or continuation of operations, according to the SECP.

“Under the amended framework, the requirement for a clean CIB report will not apply if the relevant persons provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) regarding the proposed rights issue from the concerned financial institution(s),” the regulator said.

The notification of the amendments follows a consultative process in which the SECP sought feedback from market stakeholders, including listed companies, issue consultants, professional bodies, industry associations, law firms, and capital market institutions.

The amendments are expected to enhance market confidence, improve access to capital for listed companies, and strengthen transparency within the rights issue framework, according to the SECP.

“To ensure transparency and protect investors’ interests, companies in such cases must make comprehensive disclosures in the rights offer document,” the regulator said.

“These disclosures must include details of any defaults or overdue amounts, ongoing recovery proceedings, and the status of any debt restructuring.”

The revised regulations strike an “appropriate balance” between facilitating corporate rehabilitation and enabling investors to make informed investment decisions, the SECP added.