By Iftikhar Mashwani
ISLAMABAD: Twenty-one years after Pakistan’s devastating October 8, 2005 earthquake, questions over the long-term rehabilitation of affected communities remain. The powerful earthquake caused widespread destruction in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Hazara region of KPK,some part of Federal Capital Islamabad claiming thousands of lives, destroying homes, infrastructure, livestock and leaving several settlements completely devastated.
In the immediate aftermath, the Pakistan Army, national and International rescue agencies, government institutions, volunteers and humanitarian organizations launched large-scale relief and rescue operations.
The Army and other emergency response institutions played a significant role in search-and-rescue efforts, while non-governmental organizations also made valuable contributions to relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
However, the long-term recovery process has remained a subject of concern for many affected communities.
Some survivors continue to raise issues relating to compensation, housing, infrastructure, basic services and livelihood opportunities.
Delays in development projects and concerns over transparency and the utilization of relief and reconstruction funds have also been raised from time to time.
Allegations of corruption and mismanagement involving public institutions have emerged over the years.
Such allegations, however, need to be assessed on the basis of documented investigations, audit reports and credible evidence rather than generalized claims.
Similarly, while the overall response of the armed forces, rescue agencies and humanitarian organizations was significant, questions have also occasionally been raised about individual performance and the implementation of specific projects.
The earthquake exposed major weaknesses in Pakistan’s disaster preparedness and emergency response capacity.
It also underscored the importance of earthquake-resistant construction, early-warning systems, institutional coordination, emergency medical services and effective disaster-management mechanisms.
Twenty-one years on, the experience of the 2005 earthquake remains an important test of Pakistan’s ability to learn from a national tragedy.
For survivors who continue to face unresolved issues, rehabilitation is not merely a matter of rebuilding structures but also of restoring livelihoods, providing essential services and ensuring accountability and transparency.
The tragedy serves as a lasting reminder that while natural disasters cannot be prevented, their human and economic impact can be reduced through better preparedness, stronger institutions, safer construction standards, transparent governance and a coordinated emergency response.
Government officials and members of the then-ruling political administration were allegedly involved in widespread corruption in aids fir earth quick affectees. A federal minister in the current government, who is affiliated with than ruling party PML-Q reportedly served as a minister of state at the time and was accused of misappropriating Japanese government assistance intended to build 400 homes for earthquake victims in Swat.
Although several million dollars were reportedly provided by Japan for the affected families, not a single house was completed.
The minister allegedly obtained funds for the construction of homes in Swat, but the promised housing has yet to be built.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, no one has apparently questioned the minister about the matter to date.
