AN EARTHQUAKE RESCUE PLAN SHOULD BE FORMULATED URGENTLY
FOR KARACHI AND COASTAL AREAS OF PAKISTAN- ALTAF HUSSAIN

London 24 October 2005...The MQM leader Mr. Altaf Hussain through a statement to the nation has specifically pointed out that Karachi and other coastal areas of Pakistan lie within the earthquake belt. It is, therefore essential to prepare an ‘earthquake response’ plan for this region. He appealed to the federal government that Disaster Management Cells be established in all four provinces. He said that the earthquake of 8 October 2005 was one of the worst in the history of mankind. The movements of earth plates were 8 kilometers deep that caused vibrations resulting in worst earthquake in Kashmir and Frontier province. The seismic friction of earth plates causing heat waves which resulted in intermittent   after-shocks in far off places. That is why the shock waves were also felt in Karachi. As Karachi is also within the earthquake belt, the heat waves can bring about earthquake in Karachi.  I appeal to the people of Karachi that along with praying to God Almighty for safety, they should also take necessary steps to deal with any uninvited mishap on an emergency basis. In addition to an earthquake response plan the people should strengthen coordination and communications among themselves. Lack of coordination and communications causes excessive damage because all communication links are severed during an earthquake.  Mr. Altaf Hussain apprehended that a tsunami is also likely in the event of a coastal earthquake.  He appealed to the federal government to import heavy machinery i.e. Bulldozers, cranes, panther saw, Forklifts, excavators and track damper etc on an SOS basis. He also asked the provincial governments particularly the Sindh Government that they should also order helicopters and heavy machinery to combat unforeseen events.  He asked the people to be mentally prepared for such events. The reason so many people lost their lives in Kashmir and  Frontier province is that public never expected such an earthquake of this magnitude nor the department of seismology ever forecast any seismic movements in that  area. Mr. Altaf Hussain prayed for the safety of everyone and asked the people of different faiths to come forward and pray for safety according to their own beliefs.