kilometersA powerful 5.6-magnitude earthquake in Pakistan struck on Friday evening, sending tremors across several northern regions including Islamabad, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Swat, and Gilgit. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the quake’s epicenter was located in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountain range, at an estimated depth of 120 kilometres beneath the surface.
The earthquake caused strong vibrations in homes and offices, forcing residents in many cities to rush outdoors in panic. However, authorities confirmed that there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties following the tremors. The PMD’s National Seismic Monitoring Centre stated that the region often experiences such moderate quakes due to its position along the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plate boundary.
In recent months, Pakistan has faced multiple seismic events, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Karachi, highlighting the region’s ongoing vulnerability to geological disturbances. Experts have warned that Pakistan lies within a high-risk seismic zone and urged the public to remain cautious during such natural occurrences.
The latest earthquake once again underscores the importance of earthquake preparedness and building safety across the country, as even moderate tremors can pose serious risks in densely populated urban areas.
