ISLAMABAD: A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Islamabad and several parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) at 6:35 pm today, sending strong tremors across northern Pakistan.
According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC), the earthquake originated at a depth of 178 kilometers. The epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan.
Residents in Islamabad and Rawalpindi felt the tremors. Moreover, people in Lahore also reported noticeable shaking during the earthquake.
Strong tremors were recorded across several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These included Shangla, Buner, Swat, Mardan, Charsadda, Swabi, Kohat, Karak, Malakand, Bajaur, Hangu, Wana and Lower Dir.
In Swat, residents rushed out of their homes as the ground shook. Witnesses said the tremors lasted longer than expected and caused widespread panic among families.
Women and children were seen crying after leaving their homes. However, authorities reported no immediate casualties following the earthquake.
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly temporarily suspended its session for five minutes after the tremors were felt inside the building.
In Punjab, the earthquake affected Mianwali, Chakwal, Jhang and nearby areas. Residents in several towns also reported feeling moderate to strong shaking.
The tremors extended to Azad Jammu and Kashmir as well. People in Athmuqam, the headquarters of Neelum Valley, and Muzaffarabad also experienced the earthquake.
Officials said no immediate reports of deaths, injuries or significant property damage had been received. Nevertheless, authorities continued monitoring the situation across the affected regions.
Pakistan frequently experiences earthquakes because it lies along the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Consequently, seismic activity remains a recurring natural hazard across the country.
Earlier this year, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake affected Islamabad, Swat and Hunza. The devastating 2005 Azad Kashmir earthquake killed more than 73,000 people, while a 2021 earthquake in Harnai, Balochistan, claimed at least 20 lives.
