Written by Muhammad Javed Malik
On October 8, 2005, the momentous earthquake in the history of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan killed millions of human lives in a few moments. Properties and business centers worth billions were razed to the ground.This scene was no less than an apocalypse in history. The morning of October 8, 2005 also started as usual. At the time of sunrise, mothers sent their beloved children to school wearing school uniforms. Government employees arrived to attend the offices. Every citizen was busy with his usual work that at exactly 08:52 the ground shook and the next moment millions of people were buried under the debris of magnificent buildings. That the Day of Judgment has come, everything is over. The survivors also suffered from mental stress, hearing the voices of people buried under the debris and shouting from all sides, everyone started crying because of their helplessness. No one had any equipment to save anyone. When this incident happened, then the prime minister of Azad Kashmir was Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, who told the print and electronic media that he has now become the prime minister of the graveyard. Azad Kashmir is presenting a scene of apocalypse. I can see piles of debris everywhere. The loss of lives and money cannot be estimated. I appeal to the government of Pakistan, the people of Pakistan and the international world that in this hour of difficulty, To help the Kashmiris, a large number of people, NGOs and people from all provinces of Pakistan including the armed forces of Pakistan reached Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalkot and other areas and started participating in relief and relief activities. Due to which thousands of people were rescued from the rubble. In the earthquake of October 8, 2005, a living example of the spirit of humanity and compassion was seen. Did he generously help and participate in the relief work? People from our print and electronic media reached Azad Kashmir from Karachi to Khyber and started showing the world the scenes of this horrible disaster. As a result of which relief materials started coming from the international world for the earthquake victims. October 8, 2005 is commemorated every year as earthquake martyrs. This pledge is renewed that our loved ones who were lost in the earthquake Quran should be recited for their reward and full sympathy should be expressed to the bereaved families.The main purpose of celebrating this day as the Day of Perseverance is that the earthquake was a test from nature, even if man cannot resist this test, but during such celestial disasters, when everything is destroyed and ruined. How survivors should keep their nerve and participate in relief activities. For the past 17 years, we have been celebrating this day with a determination to remember the devastation of the day and how to respond to emergency situations and rescue operations. A practical option is available. After the terrible earthquake of October 8, 2005, the State Disaster Management Authority was established in Azad Kashmir, under which the agencies providing emergency services were not only activated but also equipped with modern equipment and other agencies during emergency services. A strategy was also developed for mutual cooperation. SDMA has developed a strategy to actively participate in relief and relief work throughout Azad Kashmir while DDMA in their respective districts. All the service institutions are kept on high alert. Every year on the occasion of the anniversary of the earthquake martyrs in Mirpur district, prayer events organized by the district administration and Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust are organized, in which apart from high personalities, common people also participate. In these events, the public is also presented with a practical model of the strategy of the emergency services to save human lives after the occurrence of natural disasters. Although the history of earthquakes is very old and it is often heard that earthquakes occur when there is a lot of evil on earth, it is necessary that as human beings and Muslims, instead of relying on governments, we should use religious principles to make our actions righteous. We should take care of our responsibilities and live our daily lives according to the Qur’an and Hadith. We should support truth and justice for the promotion of the system of justice and fairness in the society. It should be done so that justice can be promoted in the real sense in the society.