ISLAMABAD, Nov 10: Pakistani scientists must make efforts to meet the challenges posed by forces of nature in the form of earthquakes and tsunamis, Minister of Science and Technology Chaudhry Nauraiz A. Shakoor Khan said. He was speaking at a convention of scientists held to mark World Science Day for Peace and Development.

The need to develop earthquake science in Pakistan was also stressed at the convention.

The minister pointed out that scientists had realized the need of advance data to forecast earthquakes. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establish data collection initiatives and suggested that a data collection and dissemination centre be established in Pakistan Science Foundation.

He reiterated government’s full support for the scientific community and urged scientists to lead the nation in training, research and international cooperation in science and technology fields.

Dr Ashfaque Ahmad, adviser to prime minister on science and technology and initiator of the idea of World Science Day, proposed that October 8 should be commemorated as National Disaster Mitigation Day to remind the nation of the need to stay prepared for natural disasters.

In his presentation, he said most of the earthquakes occurred at the boundaries of tectonic plates and Islamabad was also located in one such region.

He emphasized the fact that forecasting of earthquakes within a certain time span was possible and annual forecasting was done in the United States but predicting the exact time and place was impossible.

He also talked about threats being posed by hurricanes, Avian Flu, climate change and biometric identifiers.

Dr Qamaruzzaman Chaudhry, director-general, Pakistan Meteorology Department, said data sharing between countries was vital to locate and measure the epicentre of an earthquake.

He said in future Pakistan would look forward to coordinate efforts with the US Geological Survey.

He said data of October 8 earthquake was analyzed in 20 minutes and the president and prime minister were informed about the potential destruction that could have been caused by the earthquake.

Dr S.R.H. Baqri, Member Science, Pakistan Science Foundation, and Dr Farid Khawaja, DG, Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre (PASTIC), explained the structural layers of the earth and the effects of earthquake’s waves on these layers.

History and graphic detail of seismic activity in northern Pakistan and different types of structural faults between tectonic plates existing in Pakistan were also explained.

Dr Qasim Jan, Quaid-i-Azam University vice-chancellor, told the convention that the university has produced four MPhils and one PhD so far.

He highlighted the need for a construction code according to the seismic zone of the country.

He also spoke of an information drive about earthquake to create awareness among the masses.

Dr Soomro delivered the message of Unesco director-general Koichiro Matsuura in which he pointed out that science must be made relevant to the needs and macroeconomic realities of the society.