Quake hit Capital by mere 6 at MMI Scale: US Geologists
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—MATRIS held an emergency meeting at its F-8 office to discuss the reports of earthquake and its impact on Islamabad. Prominent participants included Moazam Sultan, Iftikhar Chaudri and Irfan Ahmed, here this Sunday. World Data Centre, National Seismology Information Denver, USA revealed that the intensity of earthquake at Islamabad/ Rawalpindi was 6 at MMI Scale. The geological survey was conducted by top US seismologists. The report orchestrates that the depth of earthquake was 26 km, which is 105 km NNE of Islamabad. The devastating earthquake tremors on 8 Oct were felt at VIII in Abottabad, VII at Topi and VI in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar, V at Faisalabad and Lahore. According to MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale, the magnitude of intensity 6 personifies the 'Witness Observation' as "Slight to moderate damage in well-built, ordinary structures. Considerable damage to poorly built structures. Some walls collapse". It is believed that the magnitude of the 8°' October, at the epic centre was 7.6, whose intensitv gradually reduced to 6 at MMI. Islamabad.
The Geological Survey of Pakistan also confirmed the report of US Geologists and issued its report on website. The killer quake is likely to become a defining moment in the country's history by the sheer magnitude of challenges it has posed for institutions of governance and key aspects of the public policy. If Margala Towers could not sustain at intensity 6 measuring at MMI Scale, then it is a moment of introspection for the citizens of the capital to identify such building where `professional guidance of CDA is taken by the owners. It is pointed out that CDA is continuously protecting its old colleague Ramzan Khokar and has taken a stance in the Honorable Supreme Court that the devastation of Margala Towers was happened only due to earthquake but not the fault of Ramzan Khokar, though recent engineering reports verify the earlier reports, in which regularity body CDA held responsible for criminal negligence.
The representatives of remaining 55 apartments proved to Honorable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Justice lftikhar Chaudri to order the issuance of cheques of rental value as majority of them have the only livelihood- earning. The meeting also prayed to Chiefjustice to direct CDA to issue the cheques for third month promptly. Earlier, the Honorable Chief ,Justice during hearing the case observed that the facility of rent would be continued till final decision of the case.