National disaster day: AJK falls silent to remember the victims

MUZAFFARABAD: Muzaffarabad, the epicenter of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake in 2005 which devastated the valley and surrounding regions, fell silent for a minute on Saturday morning as residents observed the 11th anniversary of the temblor.

The day dawned with special prayers offered in all ten districts of Azad Kashmir during Fajr.

Special prayers were offered in mosques for eternal peace for the victims. Families of victims and survivors expressed their sorrow with tears rolling down their cheeks as memory of their dear ones flooded back. They expressed their determination to rebuild the quake-hit territory.

In the capital Muzaffarabad, various organisations including NGOs, government institutions, religious and social welfare organisations held functions to mark the event in memory of quake victims.

Verses from the Holy Quran were recited and special prayers were held at the Muzaffarabad University and sirens were sounded at 8:52 am. People across the valley also observed a minute’s silence on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2016.