Excerpt from my research project...

Pakistani-controlled Kashmir has approximately 3.8 million people in a census done in 1998 out of which 12.4% live in urban areas the rest are dependent on agriculture. The literacy rate in the Northern Areas was reported in 1998 to be 33% but in 2002 enrollment has increased to 77% for boys and 62% for girls and life expectancy in 1998 was also staggeringly low at 56.5 years. In 1998 AJK had a higher literacy rate than Pakistan’s scoring at 61% but at the same time it has one of the highest military enlistment rates in Pakistan...

...The lack of government infrastructure in Pakistan to take care of its own people after a natural disaster was one of the main reasons why so many people perished, were left untreated, or still haven’t been found. (Although India didn’t suffer as many casualties if the epicenter had been near Srinagar the casualty rate in India would have been distressingly proportionate to Pakistan's casualty figures.)

...it is justifiably arguable that the governments of the Kashmiri people have once again let down their people. Another portion of the blame weighs on the delayed and inept response of the international community to the ongoing and escalated socio-economic-political-humanitarian condition of the Kashmiris. This vast range of complex problems has exponentially grown after the earthquake and neither Pakistan nor the international community have appropriately responded. To suggest that the Kashmiris themselves should have done something to prepare for earthquakes is unfair because Kashmiris barely have a say in their governments, especially in India and even so in Pakistan. The fact that Pakistan has been accused countless times of arming fighters and India has equipped a Hindu militia to suppress and balance the Muslim “fundamentalists” shows the lack of foresight by both states. This mismanagement of funds to weapons, armies, and means of destruction instead of building proper economic and developed infrastructures is the reason why the Kashmiri people have been suffering for over half a century and the reason why so many died after the earthquake.

Interesting link found in a comment: Kashmiris Reject War in Favor of Democratic Means