The National Resilience Day is being observed across Pakistan today. The Government of Azad Kashmir announced public holiday on October 8, 2025, to observe “Youm-e-Istehqaq” in memory of martyrs and victims of devastating 2005 earthquake.
All government and private educational institutions remained closed today. Earlier, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government had declared a public holiday on October 8.
The powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit at 8:52 a.m, on October 8, 2005. It is the worst natural disasters ever recorded in South Asia. It destroyed many parts of Muzaffarabad and Balakot. More than 80,000 people died, and thousands were injured. It is one of the worst disasters in Pakistan’s history.
The earthquake occurred during a school day in the region, most students were at school when the earthquake struck. In total, approximately 19,000 victims in Pakistan were students who died when their schools collapsed. Many were also trapped in their homes and because it was during Ramadan, most people took naps after their pre-dawn meal and did not have time to escape.
Fateha and Quran Khawani ceremonies were also held in many districts of AJK to remember the victims and paid tribute to them.
President Zardari said that Pakistan’s system for dealing with disasters has improved a lot. A new center has been set up with modern technology to give early warnings and check possible risks.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government will keep working to make this system better and to protect people who are most in danger during disasters.