Pakistan remembers the victims of the 2005 earthquake as National Assembly leaders call for stronger emergency preparedness and disaster response systems.

Pakistan on Thursday marked the 21st anniversary of the devastating 2005 earthquake, with National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq paying tribute to those who lost their lives and stressing the need for stronger disaster preparedness.

The earthquake struck on Oct. 8, 2005, causing widespread destruction across Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Thousands of people were killed, while numerous communities suffered extensive damage and disruption.

Ayaz Sadiq expressed solidarity with the families who lost loved ones in the disaster and said the tragedy had left a lasting impact on the country.

He recalled the nationwide response to the catastrophe, highlighting the contributions of citizens, volunteers, relief organisations, civil society and the armed forces. He particularly acknowledged the military’s role in rescue and relief operations and its assistance to people in the worst-hit areas.

The speaker also recognised the efforts made during the reconstruction and rehabilitation phase, saying collective action enabled affected communities to gradually rebuild their lives following the disaster.

Reflecting on the lessons learned from the earthquake, Ayaz Sadiq stressed the importance of further improving Pakistan’s capacity to respond to natural calamities. He called for stronger coordination among government institutions and emergency services to ensure a more effective response during future disasters.

He also emphasised the need to strengthen early warning systems, local emergency response mechanisms, rescue and relief capabilities and public awareness. According to the speaker, improving these areas could help reduce casualties and property losses when natural disasters occur.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah also paid tribute to the victims of the 2005 earthquake. He described the disaster as a lasting reminder of the importance of compassion, cooperation and national unity.

The anniversary serves as a reminder of the scale of the 2005 catastrophe and the importance of maintaining effective disaster preparedness, emergency response and rehabilitation mechanisms to protect communities from future natural calamities.