Nation observes 19th anniversary of Oct 8, 2005 earthquake
Pakistan
Over 80,000 people were killed and more than 100,000 people were injured in the quake
MUZAFFARABAD (Dunya News) - The 19th anniversary of the killer earthquake of October 8, 2005 is being observed today (Tuesday) across Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir with due feelings of seriousness, respect and determination.
The anniversary will be observed as the national day of awareness about safety from the natural disasters.
The day will dawn with special prayers in the mosques at Fajr prayers across AJK for the departed souls of victims. It is be a gazetted holiday throughout AJK State.
The major ceremony to mark the day will be held at the capital city of Muzaffarabad, with the sign of deep-rooted love and affection by the government and the people of Pakistan as well as the national and international NGOs and brotherly foreign countries who contributed their exceptional share for the rebuilding and rehabilitation of the quake-hit zone of AJK.
Besides, special functions would be arranged to raise awareness among the people about adoption of per-cautionary measures to avert the losses in case of any natural catastrophe, the sources added.
The special ceremonies include awareness walks, seminars and symposiums across the Valley which will be attended by the people representing all walks of life including social and political workers, lawyers, journalists and members of the business fraternity.
A tremor of 7.6 magnitudes shook parts of the country at 08:52 am on October 08, 2005. The massive destructions broke all the previous record of the havocs wreaked by the natural disasters in the region. Pakistan has still been suffering of the loss of the demolition of the infrastructure and transportation occurred due to the catastrophic tremor jolted Azad Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Islamabad, Balakot and other northern parts of Pakistan.
Besides death of over 80,000 people, more than 100,000 people were injured in the quake, which also destroyed villages, roads, schools, hospitals, and bridges and caused massive land sliding in the most affected areas and left hundreds of thousands displaced.
