The engineers present comprised a large number of overseas engineers, asked the government to extend full powers to engineers to implement building codes and standards nationally by appointing engineers as head of engineering departments provincially and nationally such as Lahore Development Authority, Capital Development Authority, communication and box department.
Overseas engineer Amjad Jaffri advising government to construct affordable houses for earthquake victims with best of material quoted by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advising Muslims for constructing not more than two-story houses, prohibiting them to built houses on agri production areas.
He said prophet (PBUH) advising on constructing smaller towns particularly asked Muslims to respect privacy of others while constructing their houses.
The expert pointed out recent quake had lime-lighted poor designing, substandard construction undertaken in the quake hit areas. Quoting quality construction of Mangla Dam, transmission lines where seismic design requirements were kept in mind, he said no damage occurred.
Nespak former MD Asif Saleem in his address on the occasion emphasised on making relevant changes in 1986 seismic code of the country. He said City of Lahore should not be in zone 1, but in zone 2 of seismic zones.
Renowned architect Nayyar Ali Dada emphasised priorities' top urgency should be given on saving of human beings. He said his companions had prepared units that could best suited in post tremor construction endeavours.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Faisal Saleh Hayat in his address told four districts in Kashmir and four & half districts in northern areas had been worst affected in recent earthquake. He said building efforts of 57 years lost in 57 seconds.
The Minister said in human tragedy of unparalleled proportion 60,000 lives had been lost and 1,00,000 injured. He apprised that in earthquake affected areas of Muzaffarabad, Neelum, Poonch and Bagh 2,00,000 houses had been destroyed. Appreciating spirit of nation in the eventuality, Faisal Saleh said it was unparralel in the history.
Quoting tremor incidents in Turkey, he said with good planning and construction that country even in 8.6 Richter earthquakes rampant there had minimised destruction.
Former Federal Minister Dr Mubashir Hasan speaking on the occasion said nation had shown tremendous unison in the time of crisis.