Two Decades After Earthquake, Broken Promises Leave PoJK Struggling

Two decades post-earthquake, PoJK still grapples with underdeveloped schools, healthcare, and infrastructure. Government neglect, unpaid contractors, and prioritization of military spending exacerbate the crisis, leaving residents without basic services. The systemic failures highlight ongoing financial woes and lack of human welfare focus in Pakistan.

Two decades have elapsed since the catastrophic 2005 earthquake, yet Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) stands as a testament to governmental neglect and broken promises. Despite the years that have passed, this region is a glaring example of systemic failure, where educational facilities remain incomplete, forcing children to study outdoors.

The Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) and the Disaster Recovery Unit (DRU) have been unable to settle payments to contractors, attributing the delay to Pakistan's enduring financial crisis. Contractors, like Syed Aslam Kazmi, who finished his projects nearly six years ago, are still waiting for their dues, leaving many schools in limbo. Kazmi voices his frustration, questioning how schools will ever be completed without the long-overdue payments.

This issue points to a more extensive collapse of vital sectors in PoJK. Despite significant funds allocated for military and elite luxuries, essential services such as schools, hospitals, and maternity centers lie in disrepair. The government's focus on military might over human welfare continues to worsen residents' conditions, leaving healthcare and infrastructure severely underdeveloped and the population further marginalized.