Pakistan joins the international community today in expressing solidarity with victims of earthquakes and other natural disasters around the world.
Designated by the United Nations, this day serves not only as a reminder to honor those who lost their lives in earthquakes but also to express compassion for survivors and to strengthen global resolve in disaster preparedness and resilience.
It reminds us that mitigating the devastating impacts of natural disasters requires improved infrastructure, comprehensive planning, and widespread public awareness.
At the global level, this day underscores the importance of international cooperation. Collaborative efforts are essential for advancing early warning technologies and strengthening structural resilience.
Integrating safety standards into construction practices can significantly reduce the destruction caused by earthquakes.
In Pakistan, the devastating earthquake of October 2005 remains deeply etched in our national memory. Over 80,000 lives were lost, and nearly 3 million people were displaced across Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In few moments the tragedy of 2005 earthquake left profound human, social, and economic impacts on our national memory. Yet equally memorable was the resilience, collective resolve and courage of the countrymen which no doubt stand as a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit.
In the aftermath of this catastrophe, Pakistan introduced comprehensive institutional reforms to enhance its disaster management capacity. The establishment of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) marked a significant milestone in creating a coordinated national framework.
While earthquakes cannot be predicted, NDMA utilizes historical trends, fault line data, and geospatial technologies to identify high-risk areas. These efforts support early warning systems, infrastructure, strengthening, preparedness, and damage reduction.
In alignment with global initiatives, Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030.
And Pakistan emphasizes the need for equitable access to early warning systems and the development of earthquake-resilient infrastructure.
At the national level, capacity building and public awareness remain key priorities. These include training of community first responders, integrating disaster education into the curriculum under the Pakistan School Safety Framework (PSSF), and investing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellite-based modeling.
The Government of Pakistan reiterates its commitment to building a safer and more resilient future and calls upon the international community to strengthen collective efforts through shared responsibility and cooperation.
