Earthquake tremors jolt KP, Punjab, twin cities
Strong earthquake tremors jolted several regions of Pakistan on Thursday, including the twin cities, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, causing panic among residents. According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre, the earthquake measured 5.9 on the Richter scale and originated from the Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan at a depth of 111 kilometres.
The tremors were widely felt across major cities and districts, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Swat, Bajaur, Malakand, Mardan, Hangu, Nowshera, Mohmand, Battagram, Buner, Attock, Mianwali, and Gujranwala. Eyewitnesses reported that people rushed out of their homes and workplaces, with many reciting prayers in fear as the ground shook beneath them.
Despite the strong jolts, rescue officials confirmed there were no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage. Authorities, however, urged citizens to remain cautious as aftershocks could follow in the coming hours.
Seismologists have repeatedly warned that Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its position on the active fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. The region has experienced multiple tremors in recent months, raising concerns about continuing seismic activity.
The incident comes just days after Pakistan dispatched earthquake relief aid to Afghanistan, which was struck by a powerful 6.0-magnitude quake earlier this week. The humanitarian consignment, handed over at the Torkham border under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive, included food items, medicines, and daily-use supplies for affected Afghan communities.
While no immediate destruction was reported in Pakistan from today’s tremors, the latest quake served as another stark reminder of the country’s seismic vulnerability and the importance of preparedness in earthquake-prone regions.
Also read: 5.2-magnitude earthquake jolts Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar
