5.8-Magnitude Earthquake Tremors Felt Across Islamabad, Pindi, KP

Pakistan – Tremors from an earthquake near the China–Tajikistan border were felt across several regions of Pakistan on Friday, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) of the Pakistan Meteorological Department reported that the quake registered a magnitude of 5.8 on the Richter scale and occurred at a depth of 159 kilometres. The epicentre was located in the border area between Tajikistan and China.

In addition to the twin cities, residents in KP districts such as Swat, Shangla, and Buner also experienced shaking, prompting many to step outside as a precaution. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.

The tremor was triggered by a stronger 6.1-magnitude earthquake in the Tajikistan–Xinjiang border region.

On October 21 last year, an earthquake of 5.3 magnitude hit Islamabad, KP, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and their suburban areas on Tuesday night, the PMD said.

The NSMC said that the quake’s epicentre was in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region and its depth was 234 kilometres.

Tremors were felt in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, KP capital Peshawar, Upper Dir, Malakand, Bajaur, Chitral, Swat, Murree, AJK’s Samahni, Bhimber, and other parts.

The quake hit four days after a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck KP, Islamabad and their suburban parts.

Earthquakes have frequently rattled the region, especially Pakistan and Afghanistan, in recent years. Record shows seismic activity in neighbouring countries lying at the intersection of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

In September, Afghanistan witnessed a massive magnitude 6 earthquake in the rugged eastern region of the country, killing more than 2,200 people and injuring several thousand others.

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Several parts of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Mardan, Chitral, Murree and adjoining areas also felt the tremors in the following days with reports of effects being felt as far away as Lahore.

Karachi, back in June, experienced multiple tremors, with the tally going up to at least 57 in one month.

The country has long been vulnerable to natural disasters, from the 2005 northern quake that killed 73,000 to the devastating 1935 earthquake in Quetta, which claimed around 30,000 lives.