A 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Islamabad and several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Wednesday, triggering panic among residents in multiple localities.
According to the seismological centre, the earthquake originated in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region at a depth of 114 kilometres. Tremors were felt in major cities including Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Swabi and surrounding areas. Residents in Bajaur and Diamer also experienced the shocks. No immediate reports of casualties or damage were received.
The tremor comes only days after another earthquake of the same magnitude hit parts of KP and Punjab. On February 20, a 5.6-magnitude quake affected both provinces, with tremors reported in cities such as Peshawar and Islamabad. Officials said that quake also originated in the Hindu Kush region but at a shallower depth of 73 kilometres.
Pakistan is highly prone to earthquakes due to its location along the boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active regions globally.
The country has experienced several major earthquakes in recent history. The devastating 2005 earthquake in Azad Kashmir claimed more than 73,000 lives and displaced millions. In 2021, a quake in Harnai, Balochistan, killed at least 20 people and disrupted rescue efforts because of landslides.
Experts caution that Pakistan’s mountainous terrain makes emergency response efforts more challenging, underscoring the importance of disaster preparedness. The recent tremors in KP and Punjab highlight the persistent seismic risk facing the region.
