ISLAMABAD: Twenty-one years have passed since the catastrophic earthquake struck Pakistan on October 8, 2005, yet the deep wounds of that apocalyptic disaster and the grief of those who lost their loved ones remain raw today. This devastating tremor unleashed massive destruction in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the adjoining districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Devastation Statistics and Historical Background
Measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, the earthquake was the worst in Pakistan’s history and the fourth-largest globally in 2005. According to official figures, a total of 74,698 people lost their lives, with AJK and KP alone recording 73,338 fatalities, while 1,360 people perished in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The tragedy left over 100,000 people injured, 3.3 million displaced, and affected a population exceeding 8 million. The earthquake caused massive financial losses amounting to approximately 5 billion US dollars (around 400 billion Pakistani rupees).
The earthquake struck on a Saturday—a routine day when schools were open. Consequently, a vast number of the victims who died under the rubble of collapsed buildings were children. Following this catastrophe, for the first time in history on humanitarian grounds, the Line of Control (LoC) was opened at five different points between Pakistan and India.
The Historic and Admirable Role of the Pakistan Army
During this harrowing hour, the troops of the Pakistan Army rushed to the affected areas, working day and night for rescue and relief operations.
Residents of Azad Kashmir state that for those who watched their loved ones suffer before their eyes, the Pakistan Army soldiers became a beacon of hope. Disregarding their own lives, the troops pulled people out from beneath the rubble. Locals note that the unforgettable role played by the Pakistan Army on October 8, 2005, can never be forgotten, proving once again that Kashmir is truly the jugular vein of Pakistan.
Incomplete Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Projects
Despite two decades passing, several key rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in the affected areas remain incomplete. According to data, 23 percent of rehabilitation projects in the Hazara Division are still unfinished, while the New Balakot City project has also not been completed even after 21 years. Although the visible scars of this natural disaster have faded somewhat with time, the unfinished projects still serve as a tragic reminder of the devastation.
