So many people would have made plans for tomorrow there like any one of us. So many children would have planned to study in the school, workers would have planned to earn money for their livelihood but unfortunately all were in vain.
On the morning of 8th October everything changed as Pakistan was hit by one of the worst catastrophes in the history of the country that has had a fair share of destructive calamities in the past.
Experts confirm the death toll at 43,000 and fear it could rise more as they dig deep into the far-flung affected areas of the North West Frontier Province and more north. It is predicted to climb at 80,000 deaths in Pakistan alone.
This catastrophe has struck and shook the nation to our very core. The outpour of emotions and the overwhelming response from Pakistan and abroad has been larger than life and people from all walks of life have helped in both monetary and material terms to ease out the grievances of heir brethren in need.
From United Nations to our own government, every institution is playing its part to provide timely support to the affectees of the disaster.
Uptil now, Rs 5.5 bn have been raised domestically while $700 million dollars of funds is given by the foreign countries while international companies like Cathay Pacific Airways have flown in with no less than 30 tonnes of relief support free of cost and the amount keeps on increasing with every passing day.
All these figures does not include the unrelenting work of volunteers and soldiers who are working day and night to make the logistic process efficient enough to provide sustenance to the affected people on time.
International rescue workers have also played a pivotal role in first rescuing people from under the rubble and then offering relief support to save thousands of lives.
The above-mentioned company has also been in touch with Pakistani consulate in Hong Kong to lend any kind of support Pakistan needs at this point of time.
The unity and determination the Pakistanis showed in this time of crisis is exemplary and has shown the world the spirit that makes Pakistanis the most emotional nation who came to rescue their brethren when needed. The work done so far is stupendous but by no means over.
The rebuilding, relief and rehabilitation process can take several years and with the spirit of Pakistanis and continuous support in the form of international aid, Pakistan can turn over a new leaf and can get over this calamity which indeed will haunt Pakistanis for years and years to come.