"Our scientists should rise to the challenges being posed by forces of nature in the form of earthquakes and tsunamis", he said while addressing the scientists convention held here on the occasion of World Science Day for Peace and Development (WSDPD).
The minister pointed out that scientists have realised the need of advance data to forecast earthquakes. He reaffirmed government's commitment to establish data collection and suggested that a data collection and dissemination center be established in Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF).
On the occasion, Dr Ashfaque Ahmad, Advisor to Prime Minister on Science and Technology and initiator of the idea of World Science Day proposed that October 8 should be commemorated as National Disaster Mitigation Day to remind the nation about the need for being prepared for the natural disasters.
He said most of the earthquakes occur at the boundaries of tectonic plates and Islamabad is also located in one such region.
In his address, Dr Qamaruzzaman Chaudhry, Director General Pakistan Meteorological Department said data sharing between countries is vital to locate and measure the epicenter of an earthquake. He said in future Pakistan would look forward to co-ordinate efforts with US Geological Survey.
Dr S.R.H. Baqri, Member Science, Pakistan Science Foundation, and Dr Farid Khawaja, DG, Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre (PASTIC), explained the structural layers of the earth and the affects of earthquake waves on these layers.
Dr Qasim Jan, Vice Chancellor Quaid-e-Azam University told the convention that the university has produced four M.Phils and one Ph.D so far.
He highlighted the need of construction code according to the seismic zone of the country and spoke of an information drive about earthquake to create awareness in the masses. Earlier, Dr N.M.Butt, in his welcome address informed that Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) was exploring various aspects of earthquake phenomenon in Pakistan.