Pakistan is vulnerable against potential seismic risk and has recently suffered from the disastrous earthquake in October 2005 causing enormous human and economics losses. In this study, after an outline of seismicity of Pakistan, damages by the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and consequent reconstruction activities, results and analysis of a survey conducted among all stake holders involved in housing construction are presented. The survey consisted of various questions on seismic risk perception of house owners (residents), house builders/ head masons, central and local government officers. As resident’s survey was conducted in two different communities, one was severely affected and other was not damaged by the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake, their responses are different about earthquake risk perception but similar for mitigation efforts. Some similar outcomes were found in case of survey analysis of builders/ masons, central and local government officers. The 2005 Kashmir Earthquake has triggered the consciousness among all stake holders in Pakistan especially people who have either suffered the disastrous consequences of the earthquake or have been involved in post earthquake relief and rehabilitation activities in affected areas. This potential needs to be utilized in an optimum way as such memories can be faded away quickly.
Some suggestions, to improve housing safety based on the analysis are proposed to raise disaster mitigation awareness and disseminate information regarding safer technologies effectively, to communities. This study may be helpful while planning mitigation programs and public awareness campaigns on preparedness in Pakistan and areas with similar characteristics.