Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry has said that unparalleled help provided by the Pakistan armed forces to the earthquake victims would never be forgotten by the people of Azad Jammu Kashmir. In a statement, he said that compensation for the loss of human lives caused by the earthquake was not possible, but the government tried its best to rehabilitate the victims, rebuild and reconstruct the damaged infrastructure.
He thanked the international community for its generous support for rescue and relief of earthquake victims in 2005. Meanwhile, people of Balakot and adjoining areas Sunday observed the 18th anniversary of the devastating earthquake that took thousands of lives and destroyed Balakot City, where hospitals and schools are still waiting for reconstruction. At 8:52, a memorial ceremony was held at Balakot, where the survivors of the earthquake, members of civil society, and other organizations were present.—INP
