ISLAMABAD: The nation solemnly marked the 19th anniversary of the devastating October 8 earthquake, remembering the thousands of lives lost and those affected by one of Pakistan’s deadliest natural disasters.
On this day in 2005, a massive 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck northern Pakistan, particularly the areas of Azad Kasmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and parts of Islamabad, leaving widespread devastation in its wake.
The earthquake claimed over 80,000 lives, with millions left homeless as entire towns and villages were flattened. The day is now observed each year as a reminder of the tragedy and to honor the resilience of the survivors and the sacrifices of rescue workers and volunteers.
The day will dawn with special prayers in the mosques at Fajr prayers across AJK for the departed souls of victims. It is a gazetted holiday throughout AJK State.
The major ceremony to mark the day will be held at the capital city of Muzaffarabad, with the sign of deep-rooted love and affection by the government and the people of Pakistan as well as the national and international NGOs and brotherly foreign countries who contributed their exceptional share for the rebuilding and rehabilitation of the quake-hit zone of AJK.
In a message on the occasion of National Resilience Day, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the day is a motivation for “all of us to embrace the best practices and implement policies aimed at fortifying the nation’s resilience”.
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“Our policy initiatives should encompass various sectors, including safe development of infrastructure, improved disaster preparedness, poverty alleviation, safer spatial land use planning, adherence to building codes, efficient water resource management, sound agricultural practices, and increased afforestation nationwide, including coastal areas,” he said.
“I urge all stakeholders to seek synergy through greater and refined understanding of each other’s strengths and capacity limitations, achieving maximised interoperability amongst local, zonal, national, global, and public and private sectors through a whole of society approach,” the prime minister said.
In a separate message, President Asif Ali Zardari recalled that in the wake of the Oct 8, 2005, catastrophe “our nation displayed an unparalleled spirit of resilience and unity and generously helped the affected people”.
Extending his gratitude to friendly countries, civil society, welfare and charitable organisations that lent support in the aftermath of the earthquake, he also mentioned the looming threat of climate change, which has made Pakistan more vulnerable to natural disasters”.