NWFP Governor, Owais Ahmed Ghani has said, occurrence of disasters - both natural and man made, is common practice in states and societies, but what matters, is the response of the respective institutions and individuals, how they confront the untoward situations.
In our case, he added, till yet, we as a nation were ill prepared but now solid initiatives are underway to train and educate the manpower and make institutionalised arrangements to at least minimise the losses, in case of occurrence of such situations in future.
Addressing as chief guest the formal inaugural ceremony of Centre for Disaster Preparedness and Management under the aegis of University of Peshawar at its Campus on Saturday, the Governor said, simultaneously, there is also dire need, the society has confidence in the working capability and capacity of government institutions and machinery to make the success worthwhile.
"Public must extend fullest moral support to government institutions and appreciate their achievements as well to continue the development process amicably in future to", he said.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Peshawar, Professor Dr Azmat Hayat and Director of the Centre, Professor Dr Amir Nawaz also addressed the ceremony, which was largely attended by scholars, researchers as well as representatives of various private concerns, engaged in the field.
While appreciating the management of the University of Peshawar, for successfully launching a full-fledged Centre in the field of Disaster Preparedness and Management, the Governor, who is also its Chancellor, said, it indeed is a good initiative, which deserves for fullest support and it will be definitely supported.
Apart from this, he added, the University of Engineering and Technology has already launched research studies in the field of Earthquake Rehabilitation and preparation of earthquake proof designs of houses and buildings is already in progress while the Frontier Corps is in the process to establish a training center to produce skilled manpower in the field of immediate relief and rescue activities, in case of any disastrous situation.
All the three projects, he added, are major breakthroughs and coming up parallel in the provincial metropolitan. The Governor also highlighted the law and order problems especially in the province and Fata and said, the situation, we are facing for the last almost 30 years especially during the recent past, is not less than a major disaster.
However, he pointed out, no doubt, we have been confronting huge problems in handling it, till one year back, when vast areas both in the province and Fata, were almost out of control of the government, posing a posture of no-go areas, yet the circumstances today are quite different and not only the writ of the government has been restored but it is being further strengthened.
The success, he remarked, is mainly because of the solid steps, taken by the government to invigorate the respective institutions, which are now responding to untoward happenings efficiently and successfully. In this connection, he particularly mentioned the Police Force and said, it has been continuously confronting major threats; offering tremendous sacrifices and also has the capacity to meet challenging situations in future too. The system has the capacity to work and the government machinery has the capability to confront challenges, he remarked.
However, he said, there is a need that the opinion building institutions especially the media should also play its due role in developing confidence of the masses in the working of the law enforcement agencies and generate public support in this respect as well. There is a need to have a balanced approach in handling the situation in this connection, which is also must for survival of the country.
We should avoid to raise any such voice, which may cause to promote despondency in the society" the Governor pointed out. Since, he added, the situation, we are facing in our country is mainly because of the happenings in Afghanistan, hence, till the restoration of complete normalisation and peace in that country, we would continue to confront it in future too.
Therefore, he cautioned, we have to make constant efforts to further develop our institutions and be ready to face challenges in future too. The Governor also appreciated the co-operation and support of International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) in the efforts of the University for establishment of the center.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Dr Azmat Hayat and the Director of the Centre, Professor Dr Amir Nawaz while welcoming the Governor and the guests highlighted the background realities, which led to develop the existing facilities in the field of Disaster Preparedness and Management studies into a full-fledged center and said that diploma classes have already been started and with the passage of time, masters and Ph.D level educational and research studies will also be developed.
The Centre will serve the cause both at the national and international level and help the humanity to face disastrous situations, with at least minimum level of losses. Special seats, have also been reserved for students from Fata in the center as well, he added. Later on the Governor also presented shields on behalf of the management of the Centre to the representatives of various organisations as a token of their contribution towards its establishment.