Srinagar, IndiaIndian authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have seized a balloon adorned with the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) logo in the Poonch district, marking yet another peculiar border-related incident in the region.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the balloon, featuring the name, logo, and livery colors of Pakistan’s national flag-carrier, was discovered in the Tain Mankote area of the Mendhar sector in Poonch district by the Indian Army. The authorities have stated that the balloon is currently in the possession of the Army for necessary assessment.
This incident is part of a series of unusual occurrences involving objects and animals in border areas. In 2015, a pigeon was detained by Indian forces for crossing the border into the Pathankot area. More recently, in May of last year, the Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) claimed to have captured a Pakistani spy pigeon and handed it over to police in occupied Kashmir. The pigeon’s Pakistani owner later denied any allegations of espionage.
These incidents have often been met with media attention and public humor, sometimes leading to criticism of the Indian media’s portrayal of border security issues.
Islamabad, The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) hosted a capacity-building workshop for journalists at its head office, focusing on key aspects of equity trading and market surveillance in the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
According to Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the workshop aimed to enhance public awareness and understanding of the capital markets. The SECP team provided in-depth insights into the role of the stock exchange in capital formation, financial inclusion, and investment diversification. Participants were briefed on the trading, clearing, settlement, and custodial functions of the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the National Clearing Company, and the Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited, collectively known as Capital Market Infrastructure Institutions (CMIIs).
The event also covered the digital online account opening process through the Centralized Gateway Portal (CGP), highlighting its convenience for retail investors across various financial intermediaries. The SECP’s efforts to simplify account opening procedures with multiple financial intermediaries were also detailed.
Furthermore, the workshop addressed market surveillance, educating participants on different types of market abuse, such as insider trading and market manipulation. SECP and Pakistan Stock Exchange’s surveillance tools were discussed, and case studies were presented to enhance understanding of these issues.
The presentation on systemic risk focused on various risk indicators and their role as early warning signals for potential market disruptions. The session concluded with a vibrant question and answer segment, underscoring the importance of regular communication between regulators and the media for effective regulation and responsible reporting.
This initiative by the SECP represents a significant step in strengthening media understanding of complex financial markets and fostering informed journalism in this sector.