Mirpur (ajk):Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister (AJK PM) Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani on Wednesday paid rich tribute to the victims of the devastating October 8, 2005 earthquake, describing the day as one of the most tragic in the history of the State.
In his special message on the Earthquake Martyrs’ Day, the PM said the powerful earthquake, which struck within seconds, destroyed populated cities, claimed thousands of precious lives, injured thousands and rendered millions of families homeless.
Schools, colleges, hospitals and villages were reduced to rubble, he added. He paid tribute to the resilience of the Kashmiri people, who remained united and steadfast in the face of the tragedy, and prayed for the departed souls to be granted the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous.
Gilani also lauded the Pakistani nation, armed forces, national and international relief agencies, overseas Pakistanis, state institutions, rescue personnel, doctors, engineers and other organizations for their historic contribution to relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the earthquake-hit areas. He said their selfless services during the difficult period would remain etched in the hearts of the Kashmiri people.
The Prime Minister said while natural disasters could not be prevented, concerted efforts could be made to reduce their risks and protect future generations. He said the government was fully cognizant of Azad Kashmir’s vulnerability to natural calamities and had made disaster risk reduction, strengthening of the disaster management system and improvement of related infrastructure part of its 100-day priorities.
He said the 2005 earthquake had severely damaged almost the entire infrastructure of Azad Kashmir and, even after two decades, reconstruction of hundreds of schools and colleges remained to be completed.