ISLAMABAD, Oct. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf said Saturday that the massive quake that struck in the morning was a test for the nation.

    "In the overall context it is a test for all of us... the entire nation and we are sure we will qualify this test," Musharraf said as he visited the collapsed Margallah Towers apartment block in Islamabad.

    He was quoted by local TV reports as saying that all civil and armed agencies had been engaged in relief operations, Pak Air Force and C-130 were prepared and helicopters were also providing assistance in the relief work.

    Musharraf, who was accompanied by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, announced that the government has set up a special cell in the Prime Minister Secretariat which will work around the clock and monitor the situation.

    About 70 persons were still trapped under the collapsed Margallah Towers. Efforts were being made to rescue them out, which may take several more hours. Enditem