A Pakistan earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale rattled several regions on Friday evening, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Islamabad, and the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Peshawar. The tremors were powerful enough to send residents rushing out of their homes, though no immediate reports of major damage or casualties were recorded.
Tremors Felt Across Northern Pakistan
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the earthquake struck at 5:15 p.m. with a magnitude of 5.6 and a depth of 120 kilometers. The tremors were widely felt across northern areas, particularly in Peshawar, Swat, Chitral, Rawalpindi, and the capital city of Islamabad.
Residents reported feeling the ground shaking for several seconds. Many people in affected areas ran outdoors as precautionary measures, while others sought updates on social media and local news channels. The shaking was noticeable even in upper floors of buildings in the twin cities.
Epicentre in the Hindu Kush Region
The PMD confirmed that the earthquake’s epicentre was located in the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan, a region known for its frequent seismic activity. The Hindu Kush is part of the tectonically active zone where the Indian and Eurasian plates collide, often resulting in deep and powerful quakes that impact both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) provided additional data on the event. It recorded a 4.7-magnitude quake less than 30 kilometers from the western Pakistan-Afghanistan border around 4:53 p.m. at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
Shortly afterward, the USGS also registered another 5.5-magnitude quake near Pakistan’s northern border with Afghanistan at 5:15 p.m., at a depth of 10 kilometers. The close timing and proximity of these tremors suggest that both may have been linked to the same tectonic movement within the region.
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Seismic Activity Increasing in the Region
The Hindu Kush and northern Pakistan often experience frequent but moderate quakes. Experts attribute this to the ongoing subduction of the Indian tectonic plate beneath the Eurasian plate. Although most of these quakes occur deep underground and rarely cause large-scale destruction, their wide reach frequently triggers alarm among residents.
Seismologists note that while Friday’s quake was strong enough to be felt across multiple cities, its depth of 120 kilometers helped limit surface damage. “Deep-focus earthquakes like this one tend to spread their energy over a wider area, reducing the likelihood of severe structural damage,” said a senior PMD official.
Still, authorities have advised the public to remain cautious, as aftershocks can sometimes follow within hours or days after the main tremor.
Past Earthquakes Serve as a Reminder
Friday’s tremor came less than a week after another earthquake shook parts of Punjab. On Saturday night, a 5.0-magnitude quake struck near Layyah district at 7:54 p.m., according to the PMD. That quake originated about 50 kilometers east of Layyah at a depth of 20 kilometers.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Waseem Hayat confirmed that the Layyah earthquake was felt across the district but reported no emergencies or significant damage. The two consecutive events have heightened public concern about growing seismic activity across Pakistan’s northern and central regions.
Pakistan sits in a seismically active zone and has experienced devastating quakes in the past. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake, which measured 7.6, remains one of the most tragic in the country’s history, claiming over 80,000 lives. More recently, smaller tremors have been reported regularly across KP, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan.
Public Reaction and Preparedness
The tremors on Friday sparked fear and confusion among residents in Islamabad, Peshawar, and Swat. Many people were seen gathering in open areas and parking lots, calling relatives to check on their safety. Social media was flooded with videos showing ceiling fans shaking and objects rattling in homes and offices.
Authorities urged calm and reassured the public that there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. Emergency services, including Rescue 1122 and local disaster management authorities, remained on alert in case of aftershocks or infrastructure issues.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) also reminded citizens to review basic earthquake safety procedures, such as “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” and to ensure emergency kits are ready.
Safety Measures and Future Monitoring
Following the earthquake, PMD’s Seismological Centre stated that it is closely monitoring seismic activity across the region. Officials have urged residents, especially those in northern KP and Gilgit-Baltistan, to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines in case of recurring tremors.
Experts also called for strengthening building codes and public awareness to minimize risks in earthquake-prone areas. They stressed that Pakistan’s northern belt, due to its mountainous terrain and active fault lines, will continue to face such seismic events.
Friday’s Pakistan earthquake served as another reminder of the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters. While no serious damage occurred this time, experts warn that preparedness and infrastructure resilience remain crucial to ensuring public safety in future quakes.
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