In view of the huge earthquake effects in Kashmir, and Chitral being in the most earthquake prone zone, the disaster risk elements have become a necessity to be taken into consideration in construction of new houses, said Mr. Miraj Khan, General Manager Multi-Input Development Programme of AKDN in Kashmir, while talking to the participants in a workshop organized by Building and Construction Improvement Programme (BACIP) a component of Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan in Booni.
He said there is no option but to use the techniques of BACIP and tested technologies in building of houses before any natural disaster occurs in the region particularly in Chitral. He informed that Chitral and other areas of Pakistan have been declared situated in earth- quake prone zone, for which awareness needs to be raised among the people so that they can be prepared to minimize the risks involved in. He further said that the huge human and material losses in Kashmir and other parts of NWFP were more than enough to believe in disastrous consequences of earthquake. Therefore, he said precautionary mitigation needed to be taken in houses particularly in public buildings.
Mr. Afzal Ali a well know social figure who presided over the session urged the participants to get maximum benefits from all the institutions and organizations, including AKPBSP to improve the quality of life. He appreciated the work of AKPBSP in providing skill training to the people.
Earlier, Mohammad Karam Area Manager AKPBSP, Chitral welcomed the participants and Karimullah Beg Manager for Training briefed about BACIP and its products.
At the end, certificates were given away to 10 masons, 9 carpenters and 7 plumbers who completed their three-week training in Booni.
Among others who participated in the briefing session were ex-Nazim, a well-known social and political figure, Syed Sardar Hussain, representatives of AKDN institutions and Biyar Local Support Organization, (BLSO) community representatives. Considerable number of women representing different organizations also participated in the session. At the end, products of BACIP were shown and briefed about their benefit.
Ismailimail 