Muzaffarabad (Web Desk): The 14th anniversary of martyrs of deadly earthquake of October 8, 2005 was observed in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Tuesday, the Radio Pakistan reported.
Special prayers were offered in the mosques at ‘Fajr’ for the departed souls.
Memorial ceremonies are likely to be held in schools, colleges, private as well as government institutions of Islamabad AJK, KP, Islamabad and other cities of the country to pay homage to those who lost their lives in the deadly earthquake.
One minute silence was observed at all District Headquarters of AJK at 8:54 am.
Quran Khwani, prayer ceremonies, documentaries show depicting events of miseries, pictorial exhibitions, awareness walks, candle vigils, seminars and speech contests were held in all ten districts of the state.
Main Prayer Ceremony was held at University Ground Muzaffarabad.
In his messages, President Dr Arif Alvi said that the observance of ‘National Resilience Day’ is an occasion to evaluate and reiterate commitment at making greater preparedness to face natural calamities and by showing resolve for disaster risk reduction.
The President said Pakistan observed the Day to express solidarity and sympathy with families affected by natural calamities.
He also urged all the federal and provincial stakeholders to create synergies to ensure disaster risk reduction, preparedness, mitigation, and rehabilitation.
The President also paid tribute to the people of Pakistan who had exhibited courage, selflessness, spirit of sacrifice and resilience in the face of catastrophes.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated that the government would continue to adopt all possible measures for a disaster resilient Pakistan through more effective prevention, mitigation and preparedness.
He said Pakistan is committed to fulfill its responsibilities mandated under regional and global frameworks on the Disaster Risk Reduction to which we are a signatory.
The prime minister said, he would like to express his deepest condolences to the families of victims who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate earthquake.
The PM also paid homage to the victims of recent earthquake in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and expressed the resolve that they would continue to provide all possible support to the people in the affected areas till their complete rehabilitation.
On October 8, 2005, the 7.6 magnitude earthquake jolted Azad Kashmir and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 8:52 am.
The catastrophic earthquake left nearly 100,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands homeless, besides destroying the basic infrastructure of the region. Around 7,774 schools were damaged.
