An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck Islamabad along with parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), causing tremors across several cities including Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Peshawar. The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) confirmed the quake’s origin at a depth of 178 kilometers, with its epicenter located in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region.
Strong tremors were felt in KP’s Shangla, Buner, Swat, and neighboring areas. Residents of Mardan, Charsadda, and nearby localities also experienced the shaking. Additional tremors were reported in Swabi, Kohat, Karak, Malakand, Bajaur, Hangu, Wana, and Lower Dir. In response, the KP Assembly session was briefly suspended for five minutes.
In Punjab, the earthquake was noticeable in Mianwali and surrounding regions, as well as in Chakwal and Jhang. Meanwhile, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the tremors were felt in Neelum Valley’s district headquarters, Athmuqam, and in Muzaffarabad.
There have been no immediate reports of casualties or property damage. However, residents in Swat described the experience as intense and prolonged. Daniyal Ahmad, a local resident, said people rushed outside in panic, with women and children visibly distressed.
Pakistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes is due to its position along the boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The country has endured several devastating earthquakes over the years. Earlier this year in February, a 5.8-magnitude quake affected Islamabad, Swat, and Hunza. The 2005 earthquake in Azad Kashmir resulted in over 73,000 deaths and left millions homeless. In 2021, a quake in Balochistan’s Harnai district caused at least 20 fatalities and complicated rescue efforts due to landslides.
Experts emphasize that the rugged terrain in Pakistan’s earthquake-prone regions poses significant challenges for relief operations, underscoring the importance of preparedness and effective response strategies.
