ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday marked the 20th anniversary of the devastating 2005 earthquake, observing National Resilience Day with solemn tributes to those who lost their lives and renewed pledges to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness and climate resilience.
The 7.6-magnitude earthquake, which struck at 8:50 a.m. on October 8, 2005, leveled vast parts of northern Pakistan and Azad Jamu and Kashmir. Its epicenter was near Muzaffarabad, about 100 kilometers north of Islamabad. The quake killed more than 75,000 people, injured over 138,000, and left around 3.5 million homeless. Entire towns, including Balakot and Muzaffarabad, were reduced to rubble within a minute, making it one of the deadliest disasters in South Asia’s history.
PM Shehbaz Sharif: “Our resolve remains as strong as ever”
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, in his message on National Resilience Day, said the anniversary was a reminder not only of “immense losses and damages” but also of the “incomparable courage with which the nation rose in unity.”
He said Pakistan had again displayed “traditional resilience” in the face of climate-induced challenges, including the devastating monsoon floods of 2025, which displaced millions.
“Despite all odds, the Government of Pakistan remains firmly committed to standing with its people in trying times of post-disaster recovery,” he said, emphasizing the need for “reliable data, advanced risk analyses, and targeted preparedness” to tackle future threats.
The prime minister urged citizens across the country to participate in disaster preparedness efforts and advocate sustainable practices, reaffirming his government’s vision for a “safer and more resilient Pakistan.”
President Zardari: “True strength lies in facing trials with faith and unity”
In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the victims and survivors of the 2005 tragedy, calling October 8 “a day of remembrance and reflection.”
“The true strength of a nation does not lie in avoiding hardships but in overcoming them with faith, unity, and innovation,” he said.
President Zardari noted that Pakistan’s disaster management framework has made “significant progress” over the past two decades, but recurring floods and climate events demand even stronger preparedness.
He called on all stakeholders — government bodies, civil society, and the private sector — to collaborate in mitigating disaster impacts and protecting vulnerable communities. “Let us build a nation that no calamity can break,” he added.
NDMA Chairman: “Pakistan’s disaster response has reached global standards”
Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), said the purpose of National Resilience Day was to highlight Pakistan’s capacity and commitment to deal with disasters.
“Experiences gained from all disasters between 2005 and 2025 continue to guide us,” he said, paying tribute to volunteers, emergency responders, and institutions that have served during crises.
He noted that NDMA’s early warning systems now meet international standards and that disaster information reaches both the public and relevant institutions in real time.
NDMA, he said, is working with federal and provincial governments, the armed forces, and global partners to establish a National Resource Network for disaster response.
“The people of Pakistan have demonstrated unity and compassion in every calamity, proving that we are a resilient nation,” Malik added.
