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PESHAWAR, Oct 08 (APP):Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Information and KP Affairs, Ikhtiar Wali Khan said on Wednesday that Balakot and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa still carry the memories of the devastating 2005 earthquake, where thousands of lives were perished and properties destroyed.
He said from the rubble and enduring story of resilience and courage continues to inspire the nation. The calamity, while leaving behind deep sorrows, also gave birth to a nation that refuses to bow before adversity.
In his message on National Resilience Day, Ikhtiar Wali Khan said the day reminds us of the moment when the earth shook, but the resolve of the Pakistani nation stood firm.
“The 2005 earthquake shook the mountains and valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially Balakot, yet the spirit of the people shone brightly and was written into history in golden words,” he said.
He added that “even then, we did not fall — we stood again; we did not scatter — we rose as one united nation.”
Recalling the tragic day, he said, “As we mark the 20th anniversary of that catastrophic event, we salute the martyrs, orphans, brave volunteers, and those resilient hands that searched for hope amidst the ruins.”
Ikhtiar Wali Khan said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are symbols of endurance and dignity those who turned wounds into healing, rebuilt homes from the rubble, and lit the lamps of hope amid despair.
“We have learned that natural disasters do not weaken nations; they make them stronger provided the intentions are pure and the leadership is awake,” he emphasized.
He said that even today, when floods, earthquakes, or other trials strike, the Pakistani nation rises again with the same unwavering spirit. “This homeland is our mother — in its soil, we have found the courage to live, to struggle, and to triumph,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment, Ikhtiar Wali Khan said that the new generation must be taught that resilience, unity, and faith are the pillars on which Pakistan will always stand.
Concluding his message, he prayed that Allah Almighty protect Pakistan from every calamity and grant the strength to build a nation that emerges even stronger after every test.