- Rawalpindi and Peshawar also experienced tremors.
- The tremors were felt in Bajaur, Suabi and nearby towns.
- There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale shook parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Wednesday, causing panic among residents of several localities.
According to the seismological center, the earthquake originated in the Hindukush region of Afghanistan and was recorded at a depth of 114 kilometers.
Tremors were felt in major cities like Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Swabi and surrounding areas.
Shocks were also felt in Bajaur, Diamer city and nearby towns. There were no immediate reports of casualties or property damage.
The latest tremors came just days after an earthquake of similar magnitude shook parts of KP and Punjab.
On February 20, the seismological center reported a magnitude 5.6 earthquake that shook both provinces, with tremors being felt in several cities, including Peshawar and Islamabad. According to authorities, the epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, at a depth of 73 kilometers.
Pakistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes is largely due to its position along the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world.
The country has witnessed several devastating earthquakes in recent decades. The 2005 earthquake in Azad Kashmir killed more than 73,000 people and left millions homeless. Balochistan also suffered in 2021, when an earthquake in Harnai killed at least 20 people and hampered rescue operations due to landslides.
Experts warn that the rugged terrain of earthquake-prone areas of Pakistan complicates relief efforts and makes preparation critical. The recent tremors in KP and Punjab serve as a reminder of the ongoing seismic threat in the region.
