Putin calls Russia’s ties with Pakistan ‘mutually beneficial’

Pakistan's Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi (left) shaking hands with Russis's President Vladmir Putin in Moscow on January 16, 2026. (@PakinRussia/X)
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Updated 16 January 2026
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Putin calls Russia’s ties with Pakistan ‘mutually beneficial’

  • The Russian President mentions the ties as Pakistan’s new envoy presents his credentials in Moscow
  • Pakistan and Russia have strengthened relations in recent years, expanding cooperation in key sectors

ISLAMABAD: Russian President Vladimir Putin has described relations with Pakistan as “mutually beneficial,” according to a social media post by his country’s embassy in Pakistan on Friday, as he met newly appointed Pakistani ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi during a credentials ceremony in Moscow.

Pakistan and Russia have steadily strengthened bilateral ties in recent years while working to further expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy and connectivity.

“We maintain close cooperation with Pakistan, a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the largest regional organization in terms of economic, technological, and human potential,” Putin was quoted as saying in a post on X. “Russia

Pakistan relations are genuinely mutually beneficial.”

In recent years, Pakistan and Russia have pledged to deepen economic ties, explore barter trade and energy deals, and boost people-to-people contacts. High-level visits have also taken place between officials of both countries, highlighting interest in expanding cooperation in technology, agriculture and transport.

Last December, Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Russia and Pakistan were in talks on a potential oil-sector agreement.

Earlier, in May, Pakistan and Russia agreed to establish a steel mill in Karachi, aiming to boost bilateral ties and expand industrial collaboration.

The two countries are also working on the Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline, a major infrastructure project aimed at transporting imported gas from Karachi to Punjab to help meet Pakistan’s energy needs.

In 2023, Pakistan and Russia also discussed a deal for the delivery of Russian crude to Pakistan, and talks have continued on broader energy partnerships.


Pakistan’s first non-life Shariah-compliant takaful operator says ‘historic’ IPO oversubscribed 21 times

Updated 22 January 2026
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Pakistan’s first non-life Shariah-compliant takaful operator says ‘historic’ IPO oversubscribed 21 times

  • Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited offered 30 million shares to investors with ceiling price of Rs14 per share
  • Company says IPO proceeds will be used for investments in software, infrastructure, setting up new branches

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first non-life Shariah-compliant takaful operator announced on Thursday that its initial public offering (IPO) was oversubscribed 21 times at the country’s stock exchange, saying the development reflected strong investor confidence in the Islamic insurance system. 

The Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited said earlier this month it would issue 30 million shares with a floor price of Rs 10 and a ceiling price of Rs 14 per share. Institutional investors will receive 75 percent of the shares on offer, while the remaining 25 percent will be allocated to retail investors, it added. 

“Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited’s (PQGTL) IPO book-building has concluded with a historic oversubscription of [21x] times, marking the first-ever IPO of a dedicated General Takaful company at PSX,” the company said in a statement. 

It said investors responded “strongly” as the strike price closed at Rs 14 per share, compared to the floor price of Rs 10. Total demand reached Rs 4.74 billion [$17 million].

The company said successful bidders will be provisionally allotted 22.5 million shares while the remaining 7.5 million shares will be offered to retail investors on Jan. 28-29. 

Shahid Ali Habib, CEO of Arif Habib Ltd., which was the lead manager for the IPO, said that country’s first-ever IPO of any dedicated general takaful company, has made a historic debut at PSX.

Habib said this reflects investor confidence in Pakistan’s fast-growing takaful sector and PQGTL’s strong market position.

The statement further said proceeds from the IPO will be utilized to fund strategic initiatives, such as investments in software and other intangible assets, hardware and infrastructure, marketing and brand development and human resource enhancement. 

Proceeds will also be used to establish new branches and transform existing ones to improve operational efficiency and customer experience, it added. 

Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited is part of Pakistan’s pioneer Islamic financial services group and is backed by Qatar-based financial institutions.