ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), in partnership with China’s Second Institute of Oceanography, has inaugurated the China-Pakistan Comprehensive Seismic and Geophysical Observatory in Karachi — the first facility of its kind in South Asia.
Chief Meteorologist Ameer Haider Leghari said the observatory combines three advanced functions: Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations, seismic monitoring for earthquakes, and geomagnetic measurements to study magnetic storms. “This facility will also help us analyze energy accumulation along tectonic faults, which is vital for understanding earthquake risks in Pakistan,” he explained.
Pakistan has maintained geomagnetic observatories in Quetta, Gilgit, and Karachi since 1952, though these relied on first-generation systems. The new Karachi centre represents the third generation, equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and digital processing capabilities.
Leghari acknowledged the high installation costs due to specialized hardware and software, crediting Chinese support for making the project possible. He said the observatory would strengthen disaster preparedness and scientific research in Pakistan.
As part of the collaboration, Pakistani scientists will undergo training in China to gain expertise in the new technologies and their applications.
According to the PMD, the observatory will not only improve earthquake and geomagnetic monitoring at home but also contribute to global networks that study space weather phenomena, such as magnetic storms, which can disrupt communications, navigation systems, and electricity grids worldwide.
