PESHAWAR, Oct 8: NWFP Governor Lt-Gen (retd) Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai has said the earthquake of 8th October, 2005 was a test for the nation.

“It is a matter of great satisfaction that we confronted the challenges with the spirit of a united nation,” he remarked. He said this while speaking as chief guest at the prize-distribution ceremony of a declamation contest for students on the campus of the Hazara University, Mansehra, on Monday.

The governor said: “History is testimony to the reality that whenever we faced any such test, we faced that as a united nation and this in fact must be a great honour for all of us collectively.”

The governor said the disastrous situation emerging in the wake of the quake moved the entire nation right from Karachi to Khyber and the people demonstrated the highest spirit of brotherhood in helping their needy countrymen.

Indeed, he remarked, living nations learnt from the experiences of their past and with this aspect in mind, 8th October got the status of a national day, like March 23 and August 14.

However, he remarked, after relief and rehabilitation activities the re-construction process is in progress and it is our utmost desire to continue this struggle till the complete dispensation of damages.

No doubt, Mr Aurakzai said, both humanitarian and property losses, caused because of the earthquake were highly unfortunate, yet we have our eyes on the future now and enthusiastically participate in the rehabilitation struggle like a living nation.

Referring to developmental activities, the governor pointed out that since the hour of test is over, now many opportunities have emerged in the wake of the re-construction process.

Creation of job opportunities, he added, is one such example and there is need to fully capitalize them.

At the same time, he said, we must also have to prepare ourselves to face any such difficulty in future too and fortunately institutionalised arrangements are in progress in this connection.

He expressed determination that we would emerge successful as a nation in all the challenges. The governor also stressed the need for ensuring quality work in re-construction activities.—APP