‘National Resilience Day’; Pakistan marks 16th anniversary of lethal 2005 quake

The National Resilience Day is being observed today (October 8) across Pakistan to express solidarity with the victims of 2005 earthquake.

The 7.6 magnitude earthquake claimed over 73,000 lives besides causing massive damage to infrastructure especially in Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Different events are being organized in different parts of the country including Azad Jammu and Kashmir to express solidarity and sympathies with the victims of calamities.

Pakistan’s President Dr Arif Alvi, in a message on the occasion of remembrance of 8th October earthquake said the catastrophic earthquake resulted in the loss of thousands of human lives, besides affecting livelihoods of the people and damaging the health, education and road infrastructure of the country.

“The day is also a reminder that we live in a region marked as highly vulnerable to natural disasters, and there is a strong need to strengthen and equip our departments and create awareness among the people about disaster prevention and preparedness.

“Over the years, Pakistan has witnessed multiple natural disasters in the form of earthquakes, landslides, and recent urban flooding which caused the loss of millions of dollars, not to mention the irreparable loss of lives,” he added.

The president noted that the people of Pakistan had faced disasters with courage and resilience, however, there was a strong need for unrelenting efforts to boost our capabilities, understand the role of climate change and global warming in causing fires, heatwaves, floods and cyclones.