MANSEHRA: Affectees of the devastating 2005 earthquake on Thursday marked the 21st anniversary of the tragedy, recalling with grief the day when thousands of lives were lost and Balakot city was reduced to ruins. The solemn occasion served as a reminder of the resilience of the people who faced one of the worst natural disasters in the history of Pakistan.
"The successive federal and provincial governments deprived us of the reconstruction of schools and health facilities, and we are still without plots at the New Balakot City housing project developed at a cost of over Rs15 billion," Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Munir Hussain Lughmani told a ceremony held at the mass grave of over 65 students at the Government High School in Balakot.
People from different walks of life, including students, traders, and survivors of the 2005 earthquake, attended the ceremony and offered prayers for the departed souls. The atmosphere remained heavy with emotions as families visited the graves of their loved ones, many of whom were children who perished while attending classes.
Over 75,000 people, including women and children, were killed and around 100,000 injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir when an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck the northern parts of the country at 8:52am on October 8, 2005. MPA Munir Hussain Lughmani stated that the people were still processing the trauma of the disaster when their city, Balakot, crumbled.
"The tremors left no house without a casualty, but the survivors are commendable for enduring the agony and rebuilding the city to normalcy," he added. Local activists and civil society members also highlighted the lack of disaster preparedness in the region.
They urged the government to expedite the completion of the New Balakot City project, which has faced numerous delays over the past two decades, leaving thousands of families in a state of uncertainty. The earthquake not only destroyed infrastructure but also shattered the local economy.
Many survivors who lost their businesses and livelihoods are still struggling to regain financial stability. The government's failure to fulfill its promises regarding rehabilitation has become a major point of contention for the local population.
As the sun set on the anniversary, the residents of Balakot reaffirmed their commitment to remembering the victims. They demanded that the authorities prioritize the health and education sectors in the region to ensure that the next generation is better protected against future calamities.
The ceremony concluded with a collective prayer for the peace of the departed souls and the prosperity of the region. The survivors expressed hope that their voices would finally be heard by the policymakers in Islamabad and Peshawar.
Despite the passage of 21 years, the scars of the 2005 earthquake remain visible in the landscape and the hearts of the people. The anniversary serves as a stark reminder that while time heals, the need for justice and proper rehabilitation remains unfulfilled.