NA body for geological map for construction to avoid future quake devastation
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources proposed that the government should use the Geological Map for construction of buildings and residential houses to avoid any such catestrophy of earthquake in future.
Dr. Noorjahan Panazai, chairperson of the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources presided over a meeting of the said committee here on Thursday in which the geological Survey of Pakistan gave a presentation on their functions. The committee was briefed about the Geological framework of Pakistan, mineral potential, natural hazards, ground water, soil condition and environment study.
It was also informed that Pakistan lies in the seismic zone. The National Mineral Policy was also discussed. The mineral map of Pakistan identifying the different minerals was also explained to the committee besides the major minerals findings including Thar Coal deposits which was the largest coal reserves in the world on which the spade work was completed and it was in a final stage of negotiation to launch the project.
After the presentation by the Geological survey of Pakistan, members raised questions particularly related to the forecast of earthquake and proposed that government should use the Geological Map for construction of buildings and residential houses to avoid any such catestrophy in future.
It was informed to the committee that there was no Scientific devise or method which can forecast the earthquake.
Replying to a question, the committee was informed that the Geological reports were provided to the development authorities of the respective cities and they framed their construction by laws keeping in view these reports.
It was also informed that LPG was being considered by the government to use in the automobile industry. Pakistan was producing 66000 barrels of oil per day, which catered 18 percent of the local needs whereas 51 percent needs were fulfilled by the gas. In the oil and gas exploration fields 22 companies including 6 domestic companies were allowed to work/ carry out survey.
During the meeting, the committee also discussed the issue related to the kidnapping of 16 PPL workers from Karachi on December 9. These workers came to Karachi for negotiation on the charter of demands between CBA representatives and PPL Management.
The Managing Director PPL who was present in the meeting informed the committee that they have lodged a report with the local police and also took up the matters with the provincial government and the Federal Ministry of Interior.
The committee took a serious view of the kidnapping and passed a unanimous resolution to know the whereabouts of the 16 kidnapped workers and demand their recovery as early as possible.
Besides, the chairperson, the meeting was also attended by Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood, Ch. Liaquat Abbas Bhatti, Mrs. Rahila Yahaya Munawar, Ms. Rubina Shaheen Watto, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, Haji Khuda Bux Nizamani, Pir Syed Fazal Ali Shah Jeelani, Raja Pervez, Ashraf, Manzoor Hussain Wassan, Rana Mehmood-ul-Hasan and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources was representaed by the Minister of State senator Mir Muhammad Naseer Mengal