Quetta: Speakers discussed in length the need to improve preparedness level for natural disasters in Balochistan, on Monday.
One day Seminar under the title of “Natural Disasters and Our Preparedness Level,” was held by Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) with collaboration of Muslim Hands in a local hotel of Quetta.
Addressing the Seminar as Chief Guest of inaugural session, Governor Balochistan Mohammad Khan Achakzai said that “Population of Quetta is increasing but there is no implementation of building code which can be disastrous.”
He also lamented the fall in water table in the province and said that we need more than 1,000 dams to recharge water table and federal government should assist us in building those dams.
Also read: ActionAid Offers Help to PDMA on Disaster Risk Reduction
Rahila Durrani, speaker Balochistan Assembly, was chief guest of the closing session of the seminar. She lamented that even in this modern era we are not prepared for natural disasters which speaks volumes about our capacity.
She suggested that a think tank should be established to prepare long term assessment plans for disaster management in Balochistan.
She urged PDMA to bring up with suggestions for legislation on building code and that will be brought to Balochistan Assembly for approval.
Dr. Din Muhammad Kakar, Professor of Geology in University of Balochistan, delivered a lengthy presentation on natural disaster threats faced by Balochistan.
He explained the phenomena of earthquake and highlighted different places in Balochistan which are in faultiness for earthquake.
He revealed that water table has declined by 21 meter in last 15 years in Quetta and its currently declining at a rate of 6 meters per year.
Water table has declined by 21 meter in last 15 years in Quetta and its currently declining at a rate of 6 meters per year – Dr. Din Muhammad Kakar
Others who spoke at the occasion included Members of Provincial Assembly Liaquat Agha, Amanullah Notezai, Obaidullah Babat, Mayor Quetta Dr. Keleemullah and representative of National Disaster Management Authority and so on.
Sarfraz Bugti, Provincial Minister for home and PDMA delivered vote of thinks and ensured that PDMA will implement the suggestions generated in this seminar.
In the end shields and certificates were distributed to speakers and guests.
Zahid Saleem, Director General (DG) of PDMA was the host of the seminar. He told Balochistan Voices that the seminar fulfilled all the expectations of PDMA and it was very successful.
“Academic, media and civil society participated in the seminar actively and that’s what we had hoped,” he said.
“We will sign a MoU with UOB on capacity building of PDMA employees and Muslim Hands has also pledged to technically support PDMA,” Mr. Saleem told Balochistan Voices.
Zahid Saleem also said that in future PDMA will hold seminar on individual disasters such as drought, earthquakes and floods.
Share your comments!
