Companies in Islamabad, especially those in high-rise buildings, have vacated their offices for thorough inspections after an 8.1 magnitude earthquake jolted the country earlier today. Ufone, Mobilink, Zong and Telenor sent their employees back to home for safety reasons.
Mobile phone companies have asked their employees to stay alerted at their homes for any advisory, which may include extended work-from-home calls as complete inspection of offices for any damages may take longer than a day.
Telecom companies told ProPakistani that decision was taken in the best interest of employees’ safety and any further measures will be taken as per protocol available with the companies.
CMPak sent an email to all Zongers, telling that Zong’s CEO is personally administering any safety surveys after the earthquake. China Mobile (parent group of CMPak) is also overseeing the situation to ensure employees’ safety and well-being.
Below is an email sent to all Zong employees countrywide:
Dear Zongerz,
We hope that all our employees and their families are safe and well after the unfortunate earthquake today.
As a precautionary measure all Zong facilities were evacuated immediately nationwide wherever the earthquake was felt.
At the HQ and Contact Center employees were asked to leave for their homes in order to conduct a complete survey prior to confirming the facility safe for daily operations. Our CEO, Mr. Liu Dianfeng is personally overseeing the facility security survey.
We are pleased to inform our employees that the Zong network is operating as usual and effectively.
The Chairman CMCC, Mr. Shang Bing and the CMCC CEO Mr. Li Yue have extended their grief and extend their concern for the wellbeing of all CMPak employees and their families.
In view of possible aftershocks after an earthquake of such magnitude, we urge all our employees to stay vigilant and take care of themselves and their families.                    Â
Best Regards,
The earthquake, that was felt as far as in India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and in parts of Iran, was recorded at 8.1 magnitude on Richter Scale. At least six deaths are reported in KPK,  8 in Bajaur, 7 in Sawat, at least six in Northern Areas and hundreds of individuals were injured mainly due to collapsed buildings. More casualties are expected as reports from northern areas are emerging.
Officials of telecom companies said that they were asked to stay at homes as aftershocks are feared with-in next 24 hours. Moreover, complete building check-up is scheduled to make sure that high-rise buildings are safe and perfectly okay before employees are sent back in the offices.
It maybe recalled that offices in Islamabad during a similar-scale earthquake in 2005 had caused work-closure for offices for over a week.
Our buildings are that weak?
The buildings are not weak, the quake was strong enough to damage any building especially the ones we have in Pakistan
Thanks for Such a Great Explanation :)
Always welcome bro :)
This was one of the strongest earthquakes that the world has ever seen, so taking such a precaution is actually quite a smart thing to do for anyone.
Thanks for Such a Great Explanation.
It was a 7.7 mag. quake. 8.1 claims are just desi non-sense. At 9 you can expect whole of cities to be flattened and tsunamis near sea.
Prolonged quake even at a smaller scale, can cause massive damage unknown to human eye.
Buildings are quake resistant, not shock proof. Especially in Islamabad, danger is even higher.
Thanks for Such a Great Explanation.Much Appreciated!
God Bless All
It’s been a good initiative to not only ensure the
health of the building but ensuring the safety of employees and assets.
May Allah shows his mercy. Stay safe everyone.
Just some correction. It was 7.5 not 8.1 #Earthquake
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us10003re5