Regulations have been imposed to use earthquake-resistant materials in new buildings in Punjab

Lahore: Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) Relief Commissioner Punjab Nabeel Javed has produced guidelines to line ministries to use earthquake-proof material in newly built structures in Punjab to limit structural damage, according to a news source on March 24.

Throughout his visit to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) control room, Javed provided these guidelines. During his visit, he directed that high-rise structures be inspected and that earthquake-resistant materials be used. He advised that those who use non-standard building materials would face harsh punishment.

After a strong earthquake rattled large sections of Pakistan and Afghanistan, at least 19 people were killed and more than 200 were injured.

The 6.5-magnitude earthquake collapsed buildings, caused landslides, and sent people fleeing into the streets. It struck on Tuesday evening, primarily focused in a hilly region in northern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border. Aftershocks from the secluded Jurm valley could be felt all the way in India.

Imran Qureshi, Director General of the PDMA, informed the Relief Commissioner on the earthquake and provided the preliminary report. He also requested that all districts submit details about the accessible machinery to cope with such disasters.