A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 struck parts of northern Pakistan around midnight on Sunday, shaking Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and several surrounding areas. According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC), the tremors were recorded at 12:10 AM, sending residents fleeing from their homes in fear.
The seismic activity was felt across multiple regions, including Mardan, Murree, Haripur, Chakwal, Talagang, and Kallar Kahar. The NSMC reported that the earthquake originated 15 kilometers southeast of Rawat at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Due to the shallow depth, the tremors were strongly felt on the surface and caused widespread panic among the local population. Many people recited prayers as they evacuated buildings and homes in the middle of the night.
This quake follows an earlier seismic event just a day prior, when a 5.4-magnitude earthquake was felt in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Azad Kashmir, and the Islamabad region. That earthquake had a deeper origin—recorded at 102 kilometers—and its epicenter was traced to the Hindukush Mountain region in Afghanistan.
The stronger quake from the previous day affected a wider region, with tremors reported in Peshawar, Swat, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Dir, Mardan, Mohmand, Shangla, Hangu, Swabi, Haripur, and Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Punjab’s cities including Lahore, Attock, Taxila, Murree, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Ferozwala, and Muridke also experienced shaking. Additionally, parts of Azad Kashmir, including Mirpur and nearby areas, felt the tremors. Some regions in Afghanistan and Tajikistan also reported ground movement due to the quake.
So far, no immediate reports of casualties or significant structural damage have emerged from either of the two events. However, authorities continue to monitor the situation and have urged residents to remain alert, especially in areas prone to aftershocks.
Seismologists warn that the region, situated near the tectonic boundary of the Indian and Eurasian plates, remains highly vulnerable to seismic activity. Frequent tremors are a reminder of the need for better preparedness, especially in urban centers with high population density.
As a precautionary measure, residents are advised to familiarize themselves with emergency protocols, including identifying safe evacuation routes and preparing basic emergency kits. Structural assessments of older buildings, especially in densely populated zones, are also encouraged to mitigate risks during future tremors.
