(Abdul Basit Alvi)
On 8 October 2005 at 8:50 a.m., a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the mountains of Kashmir, lasting about 60 seconds and causing enormous destruction: buildings collapsed, roads cracked, mountainsides collapsed, villages were flattened, more than 73,000 people died, over 128,000 were injured, more than three million became homeless, and schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, and communication networks were destroyed. The Pakistan Army was among the first major responders, with General Pervez Musharraf ordering full mobilization as troops were redeployed, helicopters activated, field hospitals established, engineering units deployed, and logistical resources redirected. Soldiers, including those who had survived the earthquake themselves, reached isolated areas, rescued survivors, provided first aid, and carried injured people to safety. Specialized teams worked continuously with rescue equipment, dogs, and thermal cameras to locate and free people from concrete, twisted metal, and confined spaces; some soldiers were injured or killed, but rescues continued, including children, families, and people trapped for days. The Army then established relief camps providing food, clean water, blankets, medicines, and shelter, while doctors and paramedics operated field hospitals, performed surgeries, treated injuries and infections, delivered babies, and supported traumatized people. Trucks transported supplies, helicopters dropped food in remote villages, and soldiers carried supplies by hand and went door to door. Recovery continued beyond emergency relief as Army engineers cleared debris, rebuilt roads and bridges, restored communications, constructed shelters, schools, and hospitals, helped farmers resume agriculture, provided vocational training, repaired the Karakoram Highway, and rebuilt the Neelum Valley Road despite difficult terrain, harsh weather, landslides, and aftershocks.
The Army’s involvement also provided emotional support, with soldiers becoming symbols of hope, protection, and solidarity for affected communities, strengthening the bond between the Army and the people of Pakistan. Their service and sacrifices were remembered and appreciated, contributing to national pride in an institution regarded as ready to help citizens and willing to sacrifice for them. The earthquake was an unprecedented tragedy for Pakistan, but it also demonstrated the resilience of the people, the courage and capabilities of soldiers, and national unity. The Army remained with the country from the initial destruction through the long recovery, fulfilling both its defense role and its role in responding to internal crises, and its earthquake response received praise from the international community and people in Pakistan. People remembered soldiers digging through rubble, helicopters overhead, relief camps, field hospitals, acts of kindness and compassion, sacrifices, lives saved, homes rebuilt, schools reopened, and hope restored. The Army was the first responder and among the last to leave, with its sustained involvement serving as an example of professional military service and dedication to civilians. The disaster became a test of Pakistan’s resilience, the Army’s capabilities, and the relationship between citizens and soldiers, leaving a legacy of courage, compassion, service, sacrifice, and enduring remembrance for both the Pakistan Army and the people.
Today, when we look back at the earthquake of two thousand and five, we feel a deep sense of sadness. We remember the lives that were lost. We remember the families that were broken. We remember the homes that were destroyed. But we also feel a deep sense of pride. We feel proud of the way our nation responded. We feel proud of the way our army served. We feel proud of the way our people stood together. This is what makes Pakistan strong. This is what makes Pakistan resilient. This is what makes Pakistan a great nation. The earthquake could not break us. It only made us stronger. It only made us more united. It only made us more determined to build a better future. The Pakistan Army was at the heart of this response. It was the backbone of the relief effort. It was the hope of the hopeless. It was the strength of the weak. It was everything that a nation needs in its darkest hour. And for that, the nation will always be grateful.
The army’s work in the earthquake of two thousand and five was not just a one-time effort. It was part of a long tradition of service. The Pakistan Army has always been there for the nation. It has fought wars. It has fought terrorists. It has helped in floods. It has helped in earthquakes. It has helped in pandemics. It has helped in every way that it can. This is the duty of the army. This is the purpose of the army. This is the honor of the army. The earthquake of two thousand and five was a particularly difficult challenge. But the army met it with courage and determination. It met it with professionalism and dedication. It met it with compassion and humanity. It met it in a way that made the entire nation proud.
The people of Pakistan appreciate the services of the Pakistan Army during and after the earthquake of the eighth of October. They appreciate the soldiers who risked their lives to save others. They appreciate the pilots who flew in dangerous conditions to deliver supplies. They appreciate the doctors who worked day and night to treat the injured. They appreciate the engineers who rebuilt the roads and the bridges. They appreciate the officers who planned and coordinated the massive relief operation. They appreciate everyone who played a role in the response. They appreciate the army as an institution. They appreciate what it stands for. They appreciate what it does. They feel proud to have such an army. They feel proud that their army is always ready to help the country and its people. They feel proud that their army can tackle any internal and external challenge. This is the feeling of the nation. This is the sentiment of the people. This is the truth that cannot be denied.
The earthquake of two thousand and five was a defining moment in the history of Pakistan. It was a moment of tragedy. It was a moment of suffering. It was a moment of loss. But it was also a moment of heroism. It was a moment of service. It was a moment of unity. It was a moment when the Pakistan Army stood with the nation. It was a moment when the nation stood with the Pakistan Army. It was a moment that showed the world what Pakistan is made of. It was a moment that showed the world what the Pakistan Army is made of. It was a moment that will never be forgotten. It was a moment that will always be remembered. It was a moment that will always be a source of pride. The earth shook on that day. But the Pakistan Army stood firm. The nation stood firm. And together, they overcame the challenge. Together, they rebuilt what was lost. Together, they moved forward. This is the story of the eighth of October. This is the story of the Pakistan Army. This is the story of Pakistan.
Leave a Reply