October 08, 2005 shook the whole country with a massive earthquake of magnitude 7.6 on Richter scale. The quake caused colossal damage to life and property. It was estimated that around 500,000 houses either destroyed or severally damaged.

After main rescue and relief operation an uphill task that confronted Govt. was to provide immediate short-term housing and care to displaced families who have been affected by the devastating earthquake.

ERRA was assigned task for devising strategy and guidelines for construction of permanent houses for millions of affectees. To assess the damage done by earthquake, ERRA assigned NESPAK to submit preliminary damage assessment report covering all aspects with special emphasis on housing.
Damage assessment proforma with comprehensive guideline was also prepared by NESPAK, so as to categorize the houses into different levels of damage for release of next tranches.

ERRA also assigned NESPAK to prepare standard non-engineered earthquake resistant houses with minimal budgets. A ten point poster in consultation with different NGOs/Departments were prepared in both English and Urdu language, for mass distribution among the affectees.

NESPAK has also been assigned to prepare standard designs of houses using timber as well as framed structure that would be earthquake resistant as well as cost efficient, based on locally and conveniently available building material.