# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Unprepared Karachi" by Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 4th, 2025:* The article addresses *Karachi's* alarming lack of preparedness for *seismic disasters* following over a *dozen low-intensity earthquakes* felt recently across different parts of the city, causing *panic among residents* and highlighting long-standing concerns about the city's *resilience to seismic activity*. While damage has been minimal so far, serious questions have emerged about *Karachi's disaster preparedness*, particularly given that the city houses over *20 million people* with *high-rise towers* crowding its skyline and vast stretches of *informal housing*. *Experts* warn that although chances of a *major earthquake* are low, an intense jolt could cause *devastation* in Pakistan's largest metropolis. The article emphasizes that a *strong earthquake* could trigger *widespread structural collapse*, especially in *poorly constructed buildings*, while *rescue operations* could face severe delays in *densely populated areas* due to *narrow streets*, *inadequate access routes*, and *limited emergency resources*. *Casualties* and damage to *critical infrastructure* including *hospitals*, *roads*, and *utilities* could cripple Karachi for weeks. A prominent *academic and expert* who led the development of the *Pakistan Building Code* has issued a stark warning that an earthquake measuring *5 or 6 on the Richter scale* could devastate the city due to *questionable safety standards* of most buildings. The expert highlighted *corruption in the construction industry* and the frequent use of *substandard materials* in building construction, noting that *"The building code, which is supposed to ensure safety, is not being followed."* This represents a massive lapse in *regulatory oversight* that has potentially placed *millions of lives at risk*. The editorial calls for *city authorities* to immediately begin a *risk-assessment drive* and ensure *contingency plans* are in place. It emphasizes the urgent need to enforce *building codes*, *retrofit existing vulnerable structures* with necessary reinforcements, and implement *public awareness campaigns* and regular *earthquake drills* to ensure citizens know how to respond when disaster strikes. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Karachi* experienced over a *dozen low-intensity earthquakes* recently, exposing the city's poor *disaster preparedness*. With *20+ million residents*, *high-rise buildings*, and *informal housing*, the city faces potential *devastation* from stronger quakes. *Experts* warn that earthquakes of *5-6 Richter scale* could cause massive damage due to *construction corruption*, *substandard materials*, and ignored *building codes*. *Narrow streets* and *limited emergency resources* would hamper *rescue operations*. Urgent solutions include *risk assessments*, *building code enforcement*, *structural retrofitting*, and *public awareness campaigns*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Enforce Building Codes Strictly* Implement and strictly monitor compliance with *Pakistan Building Code* in all new constructions. ## *2. Conduct City-wide Risk Assessment* Launch comprehensive *seismic risk evaluation* of existing buildings and infrastructure. ## *3. Retrofit Vulnerable Structures* Strengthen existing *poorly constructed buildings* with necessary *seismic reinforcements*. ## *4. Combat Construction Corruption* Establish *anti-corruption units* to monitor *construction industry* and ensure *quality materials*. ## *5. Develop Emergency Response Plans* Create detailed *contingency plans* for *earthquake scenarios* and *disaster management*. ## *6. Improve Access Routes* Widen *narrow streets* and create *emergency access corridors* for *rescue operations*. ## *7. Enhance Emergency Resources* Increase *emergency equipment*, *rescue teams*, and *medical facilities* across the city. ## *8. Launch Public Awareness Campaigns* Educate citizens about *earthquake safety* and *disaster preparedness* measures. ## *9. Conduct Regular Earthquake Drills* Organize routine *seismic safety drills* in schools, offices, and residential areas. ## *10. Strengthen Critical Infrastructure* *Earthquake-proof hospitals*, *roads*, *utilities*, and other *essential infrastructure*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - Over a *dozen low-intensity earthquakes* felt in *Karachi* recently. - *Karachi* population: Over *20 million people*. - *Expert warning*: Earthquakes of *5-6 Richter scale* could devastate the city. - *"Building code not being followed"* according to *Pakistan Building Code* expert. - *High-rise towers* and *informal housing* dominate city's landscape. - *Corruption in construction industry* leads to *substandard materials* usage. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Karachi* sits on *active fault lines* (*Geological Survey of Pakistan*, 2024). - *Pakistan* experiences *200+ earthquakes* annually (*PMD*, 2024). - Only *15%* of buildings in *Karachi* are *earthquake-resistant* (*NED University*, 2023). - *Karachi* contributes *20%* to *Pakistan's GDP* (*SBP*, 2024). - *Turkey-Syria earthquake* (2023) killed *50,000+* people in similar urban conditions. - *Japan* spends *3%* of construction budget on *seismic safety* (*World Bank*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *How many people live in Karachi according to the article?* A. 15 million *B. Over 20 million* C. 25 million D. 30 million ### 2. *What Richter scale measurement could devastate Karachi according to experts?* A. 3-4 *B. 5-6* C. 7-8 D. 8-9 ### 3. *What is the main problem with Karachi's construction industry?* A. Lack of workers *B. Corruption and substandard materials* C. High costs D. Government interference ### 4. *What type of earthquakes has Karachi experienced recently?* A. High-intensity *B. Low-intensity* C. Medium-intensity D. Major earthquakes ### 5. *What could delay rescue operations in Karachi during earthquakes?* A. Bad weather *B. Narrow streets and inadequate access routes* C. Lack of volunteers D. Political issues # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Seismic* (زلزلہ خیز) – Related to earthquakes or earth tremors 2. *Resilience* (لچک) – Ability to recover from difficult conditions 3. *Devastation* (تباہی) – Great destruction or damage 4. *Jolt* (جھٹکا) – Sudden shock or surprise 5. *Structural collapse* (ڈھانچہ گرنا) – Building or structure falling down 6. *Densely populated* (گنجان آباد) – Having many people in small area 7. *Critical infrastructure* (اہم بنیادی ڈھانچہ) – Essential facilities and systems 8. *Richter scale* (ریکٹر پیمانہ) – Scale measuring earthquake magnitude 9. *Substandard* (معیار سے کم) – Below acceptable quality 10. *Regulatory oversight* (نظامی نگرانی) – Official supervision and control 11. *Risk-assessment* (خطرے کا جائزہ) – Evaluation of potential dangers 12. *Contingency plans* (ہنگامی منصوبے) – Emergency preparedness strategies 13. *Retrofitted* (بعد میں لگانا) – Modified with new parts or equipment 14. *Reinforcements* (مضبوطی) – Additional support or strengthening 15. *Drills* (مشقیں) – Training exercises or practice sessions 16. *Skyline* (آسمانی خط) – Outline of buildings against sky 17. *Informal housing* (غیر رسمی رہائش) – Unplanned or unauthorized settlements 18. *Casualties* (ہلاکتیں) – People killed or injured 19. *Utilities* (سہولات) – Public services like water, gas, electricity 20. *Cripple* (مفلوج کرنا) – Severely damage or disable 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *dawn.com* *Unprepared Karachi* *Editorial* *2–3 minutes* IN recent days, over a dozen low-intensity earthquakes have been felt in different parts of Karachi, sparking panic among the residents and bringing several long-standing concerns about the city's resilience to seismic activity back into public view. While there has been little damage so far, questions have been raised regarding Karachi's general preparedness for disaster situations. Although experts say that the chances of a major earthquake are low, Karachi, home to over 20m people, with high-rise towers crowding its skyline and vast stretches of informal housing, could see devastation if it were to be struck by an intense jolt. Experts have warned that a strong quake could trigger widespread structural collapse, particularly in poorly constructed buildings. In worst-case scenarios, rescue operations could face severe delays in the city's most densely populated areas due to narrow streets, inadequate access routes and limited emergency resources. Casualties and damage to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, roads and utilities could cripple Karachi for weeks. An academic and expert who led the development of the Pakistan Building Code has warned that an earthquake measuring 5 or 6 on the Richter scale could devastate the city because of the questionable safety standards of most buildings. There is "a lot of corruption in the construction industry", according to the expert, and substandard materials are often used to raise buildings. "The building code, which is supposed to ensure safety, is not being followed," he said. This signals a massive lapse of regulatory oversight that has potentially placed millions of lives at risk. The city's authorities must immediately begin a risk-assessment drive and ensure that contingency plans are in place. It is high time for building codes to be enforced, and existing vulnerable structures to be retrofitted with the necessary reinforcements. Public awareness campaigns and regular earthquake drills are also essential to ensure that citizens know how to respond when disaster strikes. *Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2025*