An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale struck Islamabad, Lahore, and various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with tremors felt across multiple cities. The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) reported that the quake originated at a depth of 174 kilometers, with its epicenter located in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region.
The seismic activity was felt strongly in Peshawar, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Lower Dir, and neighboring areas within KP, while Lahore also experienced noticeable shaking. Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey recorded a related earthquake of magnitude 5.5 in Jurm, Afghanistan, occurring at a depth of 216.7 kilometers.
In a significant development, this event follows a recent 5.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Islamabad and parts of Punjab and KP last week. That quake, which originated at a depth of 178 kilometers in the Hindu Kush region, caused tremors in cities including Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Peshawar. Strong shaking was reported in Shangla, Buner, Swat, and surrounding areas of KP, as well as in Mianwali, Chakwal, Jhang, and adjacent localities. Additionally, tremors were felt in Athmuqam, the district headquarters of Neelum Valley, and Muzaffarabad in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Pakistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes is largely due to its position along the boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The country has endured several devastating earthquakes over recent decades. Earlier this year in February, a 5.8-magnitude quake rattled Islamabad, Swat, and Hunza. The catastrophic 2005 earthquake in Azad Kashmir resulted in over 73,000 fatalities and left millions homeless. Balochistan also faced severe impact in 2021 when a quake in Harnai caused at least 20 deaths and complicated rescue efforts due to landslides.
Experts emphasize that the rugged and mountainous terrain in Pakistan’s earthquake-prone regions significantly hinders relief operations, underscoring the critical need for enhanced preparedness and response strategies.
