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THOUSANDS FEARED DEAD AS EARTHQUAKES WREAK HAVOC IN AND AROUND CARACAS Friday, 26 June, 2026 | 10 Muharram, 1448
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TWO POWERFUL EARTHQUAKES HIT NEAR CARACAS IN QUICK SUCCESSION, COLLAPSING BUILDINGS AND TRIGGERING AFTERSHOCKS
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CARACAS
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HOUSANDS of Venezuelans were feared dead on Thursday after two powerful earthquakes wreaked havoc in and around the capital Caracas, trapping people beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings and setting off powerful aftershocks. A magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit about 160km (100 miles) west of Caracas on Wednesday afternoon, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the US Geological Survey. Emergency workers scrambled over the debris of collapsed buildings in Caracas as night fell, while distraught relatives sought help for loved ones feared trapped. Dazed survivors were taken away, some on stretchers.
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"When we went downstairs, the scene was like a horror movie," said Maria Alejandra, a resident from a nearby building, who did not give her surname. "We had to climb over the rubble and everything. The building superintendent with the baby and all the neighbours coming down. But from that building, I only saw that one family got out." Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said at least 164 people were confirmed dead. The initial toll did not include those from the worst-affected La Guaira state, near Caracas and home to the city's airport, where witnesses' footage showed scenes of panic as ceilings came down. "Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are currently carrying out very intense rescue efforts to save as many lives as God allows us to save," she said on state television just before 1am local time (0500 GMT) on Thursday.
PM EXPRESSES GRIEF OVER EARTHQUAKE DEVASTATION IN VENEZUELA ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the devastation and loss of life caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela. "On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Venezuela, especially the families of the victims, the prime minister said in his post on X. We pray for the injured and stand in solidarity with all those affected during this difficult and challenging time, he added.
AJK police chief urges diaspora to rely on official sources amid ‘hybrid warfare’ concerns MUZAFFARABAD staff report
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Inspector General of Police Capt (r) Liaqat Ali Malik on Thursday urged overseas Pakistanis, particularly members of the Kashmiri diaspora in the United Kingdom and Europe, to verify information through official government media and social media platforms, stressing the need to rely on authentic sources amid what he described as a “hybrid warfare” environment marked by disinformation and AIgenerated content. “Citizens at home and abroad must be mindful of disinformation and AIgenerated content and rely on official sources for information amid a hybrid warfare environment,” IGP Malik said while addressing a press conference. Rejecting reports suggesting the closure of entry points into AJK, the police chief said all entry points into the region remained open to all types of traffic, including vehicles transporting essential commodities. “All major entry points into the territory, including Kohala, Azad Pattan and Bararkot, are open for all types of traffic without any intervention, except routine security checks within police protocols,” he said. Malik alleged that activists of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had erected barriers at certain locations and attacked or snatched goods-laden trucks, adding that lawenforcement agencies were regularly clearing roads and facilitating commuters. Referring to a recent BBC Urdu report, Malik claimed the report was based on unverified allegations and published without seeking the government’s version despite the availability of official contact channels. “We can say that this article is far away from reality,” he said. The IGP recalled that both he and Chief Secretary Khushal Khan had clarified during a press conference on June 23 that police were not obstructing any traffic entering AJK, including trucks carrying essential goods and public transport vehicles. He added that the government’s position had also been disseminated through the Public Information Department’s official fact-checking platform on X and urged citizens to follow official government accounts for authentic and verified information. Malik also called upon media organisations to verify reports relating to AJK Police with the force’s public relations office before publication or broadcast and to refrain from airing unverified videos or material circulated through anonymous social media accounts. The press conference came amid a mixed response to the ongoing strike called by the proscribed JAAC, during which internet services remained suspended and petrol stations stayed closed under government orders. Witnesses said a partial shutdown was observed across the Muzaffarabad and Poonch divisions, while life remained largely normal in the Mirpur division. LONG QUEUES OUTSIDE LONE PETROL STATION AMID LIMITED FUEL SALE: In Muzaffarabad, long queues were witnessed outside the only petrol station permitted to sell fuel in limited quantities. People carrying plastic bottles and small containers waited for hours to obtain fuel for motorcycles and generators.
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 91 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
A MAGNITUDE 7.2 QUAKE STRUCK 160KM WEST OF CARACAS, FOLLOWED LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER BY A 7.5 TREMOR, ACCORDING TO THE USGS
Holiday notiCe
The office of Pakistan Today will remain closed on Friday, June 26, 2026, on account of Ashura-e-Muharram. Consequently, the newspaper will not be published on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Publication of Pakistan Today will resume on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
Pakistan emerges as global peacemaker and rising middle power: Ishaq Dar LAHORE
staff Correspondent
"La Guaira state is a true tragedy, and has become a disaster zone." The US Geological Survey (USGS), using predictive modelling to estimate the death toll, said it would most likely run into the thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000. A website set up to track missing people and posted on X by leaders from the country's opposition, many of whom are outside the country, listed more than 10,000 people as unaccounted for at 5.40 am local time (0940 GMT). Many Venezuelans were at home when the quakes struck during a public holiday. "There was a very loud crash. Things fell in the house, jugs inside the refrigerator. I've never experienced anything like it," said Coro Martinez, 56, who lives in eastern Caracas.
LAST NIGHT'S EARTHQUAKE WAS THE STRONGEST TO HIT VENEZUELA SINCE 1900, SAYS USGS: Wednesday’s earthquake was the largest in Venezuela in more than a century, CNN reported in the backdrop of data provided by the USGS. The country’s largest quake on record took place in 1900, when a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Venezuela's northern coast, close to its capital Caracas. The epicentre of that quake was only a few hundred kilometres from the epicentre of Wednesday’s. Wednesday’s second quake was the next largest, with a 7.5 magnitude. The foreshock – just 40 seconds before – with a 7.2 magnitude, is listed as the fourth biggest quake in the country, just behind a 2018 quake.
Pakistan, Iran agree to boost road and rail connectivity for enhanced trade ISLAMABAD
staff Correspondent
Pakistan and Iran have agreed to strengthen bilateral transport cooperation by enhancing road and rail connectivity and reactivating the Pakistan-Iran Joint Transport Committee to address longstanding border and transit-related challenges. The understanding was reached during a highlevel meeting between Iran’s Minister for Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh and Pakistan’s Minister for Communications Aleem Khan, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. The meeting formed part of ongoing efforts by both countries to deepen economic engagement, improve regional connectivity and facilitate cross-border trade.
During the discussions, both sides reviewed proposals aimed at improving transportation infrastructure and enhancing connectivity between the two neighbouring countries. Aleem Khan welcomed the restoration of peace and stability in the region and emphasised that stronger road and rail networks would open new avenues for trade, investment and economic cooperation. He noted that improved connectivity would not only facilitate the movement of goods and people but also contribute to strengthening the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran. “Enhanced transport infrastructure can serve as a catalyst for regional commerce and mutual economic growth,” he observed.
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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday said Pakistan has earned growing international recognition as a “peacemaker” and an emerging “middle power”, attributing the country's enhanced global stature to its successful diplomatic engagement and mediation efforts in regional conflicts. Speaking to media representatives at Data Darbar, Dar said Pakistan’s recent role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran had significantly elevated its international profile and reinforced confidence in its diplomatic capabilities. The foreign minister observed that perceptions of Pakistan abroad had changed markedly in recent years. “Today, Pakistan is being recognised around the world as a peacemaker,” Dar said. “A country that was once viewed primarily through the prism of terrorism is now being acknowledged as a middle power and a net contributor to regional and international security.” He noted that claims of Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation had proven unfounded, pointing to the country's increasing visibility and relevance in international affairs. “Countries that previously paid little attention to Pakistan are now discussing its role and contributions on major global platforms,” he remarked. Dar attributed the country’s recent diplomatic successes to the collective efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Pakistan’s diplomatic corps. “The captain of this team is Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” he said, adding that the premier, Field Marshal Asim Munir and officials of the Foreign Office had worked tirelessly to advance Pakistan’s foreign policy objectives. The deputy prime minister praised the coordinated efforts of civilian and military leadership in strengthening Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and promoting dialogue as a means of conflict resolution. Referring to Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran, Dar said Islamabad had facilitated engagement between two countries that had not maintained direct negotiations for decades. He stressed that Pakistan had acted as an honest and impartial facilitator, seeking to promote peace and stability without becoming a party to the dispute. According to Dar, extensive diplomatic efforts were undertaken behind the scenes by Pakistan’s political leadership, military establishment and diplomatic representatives, much of which remained outside public view due to the sensitive nature of mediation. “A mediator must remain neutral and cannot become part of the conflict,” he observed. The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s principled position on regional conflicts, particularly concerning Iran. He said Pakistan was among the first countries to condemn attacks on a fellow Muslim nation while simultaneously encouraging restraint, diplomacy and peaceful engagement to prevent further escalation. Dar maintained that Pakistan’s approach had consistently been guided by the pursuit of peace, stability and constructive dialogue. Turning to domestic priorities, Dar said Pakistan had successfully achieved major strategic milestones by becoming both a nuclear and missile power.