A moderate earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale struck parts of Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, causing brief panic among residents but no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
According to the Seismic Monitoring Centre, tremors were felt across multiple areas, including Peshawar, as well as Swat, Nowshera, Shangla, and Buner.
Officials said the earthquake originated in the Afghanistan–Tajikistan border region, at a depth of approximately 170 kilometers beneath the surface. The relatively deep origin likely reduced the intensity of surface impac
Authorities confirmed that there have been no initial reports of injuries or structural damage. However, residents in affected areas reported feeling strong shaking, prompting many to move outdoors as a precaution.
Pakistan lies along the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it highly vulnerable to seismic activity. The country has experienced several significant earthquakes in recent history.
Earlier this year, tremors were recorded in multiple regions, including Karachi and parts of northern Pakistan. In February, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake impacted Islamabad, Swat, and Hunza.
The most devastating in recent decades remains the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, which claimed over 73,000 lives and displaced millions. More recently, a quake in Harnai, Balochistan in 2021 resulted in fatalities and complicated rescue efforts due to landslides.
Experts warn that Pakistan’s mountainous terrain and dense populations in vulnerable areas can make rescue operations challenging. They emphasize the need for improved preparedness and infrastructure to minimize the impact of future earthquakes.
