ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday expressed solidarity with Myanmar and Thailand after a powerful earthquake killed more than 150 people and injured hundreds in the two Southeast Asian countries.
The shallow 7.7-magnitude tremor hit northwest of the city of Sagaing in central Myanmar in the early afternoon, and was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock.
The quake flattened buildings, downed bridges, and cracked roads across swathes of Myanmar, and even demolished a 30-story skyscraper under construction hundreds of kilometers (miles) away in Bangkok.
The Foreign Office in Islamabad said the Pakistani people were saddened by the heartbreaking news of the devastating earthquake and their thoughts were with everyone impacted by this tragedy.
“We applaud the courageous individuals and emergency responders who are working diligently on the ground to deliver rescue and relief efforts. Their bravery and commitment during this urgent time are truly admirable,” it said.
“We express our solidarity with the governments and communities affected during this challenging period. May strength and resilience lead those impacted toward healing and recovery.”
While the full extent of the catastrophe is yet to emerge, the leader of isolated Myanmar, in the grip of a civil war, issued a rare plea for international aid.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said 144 people had been killed, with 732 confirmed injured, but warned the toll was “likely to rise.” Eight deaths have been confirmed so far in Thailand, with more expected.
“In some places, some buildings collapsed,” he said in a televised speech. “I would like to invite any country, any organization, or anyone in Myanmar to come and help. Thank you.”
Across the border in Thailand, a 30-story skyscraper under construction collapsed to a tangled heap of rubble and dust in a matter of seconds.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said eight dead bodies have been recovered and, with between 90 and 110 people unaccounted for, the toll is expected to rise.
“We see several dead bodies under the rubble. We will take time to bring the bodies out to avoid any further collapses,” he told reporters.
Earthquakes are relatively common in Myanmar, where six strong quakes of 7.0 magnitude or more struck between 1930 and 1956 near the Sagaing Fault, which runs north to south through the center of the country, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake in the ancient capital Bagan in central Myanmar killed three people in 2016, also toppling spires and crumbling temple walls at the tourist destination.
Islamabad expresses solidarity with Myanmar, Thailand after earthquake kills over 150
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Islamabad expresses solidarity with Myanmar, Thailand after earthquake kills over 150
- The shallow 7.7-magnitude tremor hit Myanmar’s Sagaing on Friday afternoon and was followed minutes later by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock
- The quake flattened buildings, downed bridges, and cracked roads across swathes of Myanmar, demolished a 30-story skyscraper in Bangkok
Pakistan, Bangladesh explore potential JF-17 aircraft sale, strengthening air force cooperation
- Bangladesh Air Force chief, defense delegation meet Pakistan Air Force chief in Islamabad
- JF-17 Thunder is Pakistan’s multi-role fighter jet that it jointly developed with China
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and a high-level Bangladeshi defense delegation on Tuesday discussed strengthening air force cooperation and the potential sale of JF-17 Thunder aircraft, the Pakistan military’s media wing said.
Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder, a multi-role fighter jet jointly developed with China, has become the backbone of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) over the past decade, designed to replace aging legacy aircraft.
Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan led a high-level defense delegation meeting with Sidhu at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
“The meeting focused on strengthening operational cooperation and institutional synergy, with emphasis on training, capacity building and collaboration in aerospace advancements,” the military’s media wing said.
“Detailed discussions were also held on potential procurement of JF-17 Thunder aircraft,” the ISPR added.
Sidhu reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the BAF through a comprehensive training framework, from basic to advanced flying and specialized courses across PAF institutions, the ISPR said. He also assured fast-tracked delivery of the Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, along with a complete training and long-term support ecosystem, it added.
Super Mushshak is a lightweight, two to three-seater single-engine aircraft. It can operate from short, unprepared strips, according to the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
Khan expressed interest in benefiting from the PAF’s operational expertise and sought assistance in maintenance support for his country’s aging fleet, the ISPR said. Khan also discussed the integration of air defense radar systems between both nations to enhance air surveillance.
The Bangladeshi delegation visited key PAF facilities, including the National ISR & Integrated Air Operations Center, PAF Cyber Command, and the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park, during their visit, the ISPR said.
“The visit underscored the strong historical ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh and reflected a shared resolve to deepen defense cooperation and build a long-term strategic partnership,” the statement said.
The JF-17 fighter jet has seen extensive operational use in recent years, taking part in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions across multiple theaters. The aircraft was used in counterterrorism operations in North Waziristan in 2014 and 2017. It was also involved in the 2017 downing of an Iranian drone near the southwestern Balochistan border and in Operation Swift Retort during the 2019 aerial skirmish with India.
The fighter jet also featured in Pakistan’s 2024 cross-border strikes inside Iran and Afghanistan targeting militant groups and was deployed again in combat roles during the May 2025 conflict with India. Pakistan claimed it had downed six Indian fighter jets during the conflict, which New Delhi rejected.
Pakistan’s military announced in November last year that it signed a memorandum of understanding with a “friendly country” to procure the JF-17 Thunder aircraft during the Dubai Airshow 2025.
The meeting between both sides also took place as Pakistan draws closer to Bangladesh, amid Dhaka’s increasingly strained ties with India. India and Bangladesh’s relations have remained tense since the ouster of former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
Hasina fled to India following violent student-led protests in 2024. New Delhi has so far not accepted Bangladesh’s request to extradite the former prime minister.
