- Rawalpindi and Peshawar are also experiencing tremors.
- Shocks felt in Bajaur, Swabi and neighboring localities.
- No immediate reports of casualties or damage.
An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale struck parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Wednesday, triggering panic among residents in 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 its outskirts.
Tremors were also felt in Bajaur, in the town of Diamer and in neighboring towns. No casualties or property damage were immediately reported.
The latest tremors come just days after an earthquake of similar magnitude hit parts of KP and Punjab.
On February 20, the seismological center reported a 5.6 magnitude earthquake that shook the two provinces, with tremors felt in several cities, including Peshawar and Islamabad. The epicenter was located in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region, at a depth of 73 kilometers, according to authorities.
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 Pakistan’s earthquake-prone areas complicates relief efforts and makes preparedness critical. The recent tremors in KP and Punjab are a reminder of the persistent seismic threat in the region.
