November 22, 2006	Wednesday	Shawwal 29, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 21: Minister of State for Education Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli Tuesday called for minimising the risk of damage caused by natural disasters and urged scientists of the country to come up with practicable scientific solutions to cope with natural calamities in future.

She was speaking at a seminar on ‘Post October 8 earthquake scenario: achievements and challenges,’ organised by National Geological Society of Pakistan in collaboration with Pakistan Museum of Natural History and Pakistan Science Foundation.

The minister said many countries were facing potential threats of earthquakes, like Pakistan, but these countries were dealing with disasters scientifically and had minimised the risk of damage.

Ms Tahirkheli said the government was committed to restore life back to normal in quake-hit areas through rebuilding infrastructures and provision of quality education.

Anisa Zeb said the government was investing more resources to rebuild the quake-affected areas, besides other measures, through provision of all basic facilities including education, health etc.

She said that proposals coming forth in seminars, discussions and debates on post earthquake scenario must be given a serious thought while framing strategy for revival and betterment of quake stricken people of North West Frontier Province and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The minister said the nation showed unity during earthquake and appreciated the contribution of donor agencies and non- governmental organisations in extending relief to quake victims in the critical time.

Speaking on the occasion Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation Dr N M Butt said Western countries were heavily investing in development of nano-technology, a technology of atoms and molecules.

He said such gatherings helped a lot to come up with viable strategies for reconstruction of quake-hit areas and provide relief to the affected people in a more organised manner. He said that after a period of one year it was of paramount importance to discuss the latest developments in Pakistan regarding earthquake hazards mitigation strategies and determine the state of preparedness at national level to handle such crisis in future.

President National Geological Society of Pakistan Dr S Shahid Hussain in his address highlighted the activities of the society, particularly in the aftermath of October 8.

In the second session, renowned geologists, seismologists, earthquake engineers, geotechnical experts, environmentalists planners and disasters management experts apprised the participants of the present status of various activities and projects related to mitigation of earthquake disaster.

The concluding session of the seminar was devoted to preparation of recommendations and guidelines to enhance capacity building at national level to overcome the challenges being faced in different scientific fields pertaining to earthquake disaster mitigation.

On the occasion, experts recommended preparation of a comprehensive seismic city map and compilation of a detailed structural map highlighting active surface faults in the area. It was pointed out that these active surface faults could be marked by using field studies, satellite images and seismicity distribution.

They also underlined the need for seismometers and accelerometers along the active faults, for continued monitoring of their seismicity. They said detailed and concise microzoning should be delivered to the concerned authorities for application.