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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with Colombia after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake devastated parts of the country, killing more than 111 people and leaving widespread destruction in its wake. The earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, with the epicentre near San José del Palmar in the Chocó region. The powerful tremor damaged hundreds of buildings and triggered desperate rescue operations as emergency workers searched through collapsed structures for survivors. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound grief over the loss of precious lives and the destruction caused by the disaster. He extended heartfelt condolences to Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, the people of Colombia and families who lost loved ones in the tragedy. “Pakistan stands with the people of Colombia in this difficult hour,” the prime minister said in his message, conveying solidarity with those facing the devastating consequences of the earthquake. Sharif also expressed sympathy for those injured and affected by the disaster, saying Pakistan’s thoughts and prayers were with the victims, survivors and rescue teams working in difficult conditions. The earthquake caused severe damage across several western cities, including Pereira, Cali, Quibdó and Manizales. Hospitals were placed under pressure as injured people were brought in, while rescue workers and volunteers continued clearing rubble in search of those feared trapped. Authorities also reported damage to infrastructure and airports, while aftershocks added to fears among residents. Colombia’s government declared an emergency to speed up rescue and relief operations. The disaster has prompted an international response, with countries offering assistance as Colombia confronts one of its most serious seismic emergencies in years. For Pakistan, the tragedy has once again highlighted the importance of international solidarity during natural disasters. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the Pakistani government and people shared the grief of Colombian families and prayed for strength, patience and an early recovery for everyone affected. As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on saving lives, supporting survivors and helping devastated communities rebuild.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that a property owner has the exclusive right to decide how to use their property and is not bound by the wishes or preferences of a tenant. The judgment came while deciding a long-running landlord-tenant dispute involving a residential building in Karachi’s Saddar area. In an eight-page verdict authored by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, the apex court set aside an earlier decision of the Sindh High Court, which had ruled in favour of the tenant. The Supreme Court observed that it is a well-established legal principle that a property owner is the sole judge of their own requirements. The court held that if a landlord submits a sworn statement declaring the need to use their property personally, that statement is sufficient to establish bona fide necessity unless proven otherwise. The judgment further stated that an owner cannot be compelled to use another portion of the property simply because a tenant believes alternative accommodation is available. The court emphasised that the landlord’s choice regarding the use of their property cannot be dictated by the tenant. The case involved a dispute over a flat in a building located in Karachi’s Saddar neighbourhood. During the proceedings, the tenant argued that several other flats in the same building had become vacant and could instead be used by the landlord. The Sindh High Court accepted this argument and ruled in favour of the tenant. However, the Supreme Court disagreed with that reasoning, stating that the availability of other vacant units does not deprive the owner of the right to reclaim a specific property for personal use. Allowing the landlord’s appeal, the Supreme Court ordered the tenant to vacate the flat within six months, bringing the legal dispute to a close while reaffirming the property rights of landlords under the law.