Despite billions invested in reconstruction and ongoing government promises, thousands still reside in temporary shelters, and numerous public buildings, particularly schools and hospitals, remain unrebuilt.

Twenty years after one of Pakistan’s deadliest natural disasters, the scars of the 2005 earthquake that devastated Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) remain deeply etched in both the land and the lives of survivors. Despite billions spent on reconstruction and repeated pledges by successive governments, thousands continue to live in makeshift shelters, while hundreds of public buildings, especially schools and hospitals, remain un-rebuilt.

At 8:52 AM on October 8, 2005, a powerful 7.6-magnitude quake struck northern Pakistan, flattening entire towns across Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Balakot, and Mansehra. The disaster claimed over 80,000 lives, left more than 3.5 million people homeless, and destroyed an estimated 600,000 homes and 6,000 schools. Two decades later, the ruins still tell a story of unfinished recovery.

Lingering Scars and Unfulfilled Promises

The physical and emotional wounds of that morning are far from healed. In Muzaffarabad, residents of some of the worst-hit neighbourhoods say life has never truly returned to normal. “We lost everything – our homes, our schools, our memories,” says 65-year-old Muhammad Ashraf, a survivor who still lives in temporary housing. “Governments came and went, but promises of rebuilding never fully materialised.”

According to the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA), nearly 90 per cent of the planned reconstruction projects have been completed. Yet, local reports indicate that over 1,000 schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are still awaiting rebuilding, forcing children to study in unsafe or makeshift classrooms. Dozens of public hospitals also remain partially functional, lacking the modern facilities envisioned in the post-quake master plans.

In its latest statement, ERRA acknowledged delays caused by “funding constraints, administrative hurdles, and natural calamities.” However, local civil society groups argue that bureaucratic inefficiency and political neglect have been the real obstacles. “Rehabilitation was never treated as a long-term national priority,” says development activist Sanaullah Khan from Balakot. “The momentum faded after the initial aid dried up.”

Government Vows Resilience and Preparedness

On the twentieth anniversary of the disaster, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led solemn commemorations, paying tribute to victims and vowing to strengthen disaster preparedness. In separate messages, both leaders stressed the need to build a “resilient Pakistan” capable of withstanding future calamities in an era of intensifying climate risks.

“The 2005 earthquake was a turning point that taught us the importance of national resilience,” the prime minister said. “We have made progress, but much remains to be done to ensure that every school, hospital, and home is built to withstand disasters.”

Officials also highlighted the role of early warning systems, updated building codes, and community awareness campaigns. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) announced plans to expand digital monitoring networks and enhance coordination among provincial disaster management agencies.

Yet for many survivors, such pledges ring hollow. “Every year, we hear about new projects and new plans,” says 50-year-old widow Rukhsana Bibi from Bagh. “But when rain leaks into our tents, when our children study without walls, we realise that resilience remains only a slogan.”

A Tale of Two Recoveries

The reconstruction experience has been uneven. While urban areas such as Muzaffarabad’s city centre now feature new government buildings, bridges, and roads, remote mountain villages tell a different story. In Neelum Valley, many families rebuilt their homes using their own limited resources, often without adherence to quake-resistant standards. Aid agencies warn that such structures remain highly vulnerable to future tremors.

Education infrastructure has been among the hardest hit. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa education department recently confirmed that nearly 1,000 schools affected by the earthquake still lack permanent structures. Many are run in tents or temporary sheds, exposing children to extreme weather. “Two decades is too long for children to wait for safe classrooms,” said a senior education official quoted in The Express Tribune.

Similarly, hundreds of health facilities that were meant to be rebuilt with international assistance remain incomplete. Doctors Without Borders and other NGOs that once operated temporary clinics have since withdrawn, leaving residents dependent on under-equipped local centres.

Voices of Resilience

Despite the long struggle, stories of courage and community rebuilding abound. In Balakot, volunteers who lost families in the quake now lead disaster preparedness training for local youth. “We don’t want another generation to suffer as we did,” says trainer Khalid Mehmood. “Awareness and preparedness are our best defence.”

In Muzaffarabad, women-led groups have taken charge of reconstruction in their neighbourhoods, building quake-resistant homes with technical guidance from NGOs. Their work has inspired a new culture of self-reliance. “If we wait for the government, nothing moves,” says Fatima Noor, a community leader. “So we decided to rebuild our future with our own hands.” Experts say Pakistan must learn from the unfinished lessons of 2005 as it faces more frequent natural disasters linked to climate change. “Earthquake resilience is not just about rebuilding structures – it’s about building systems that endure,” says Dr. Aisha Qureshi, a disaster management specialist. “The gap between policy and practice remains Pakistan’s biggest vulnerability.”