Strong Earthquake Tremors Jolt Islamabad, KP and Punjab

Strong seismic activity was recorded across Pakistan on Saturday, as powerful earthquake tremors struck Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and multiple cities of Punjab, triggering widespread panic among residents.

Thousands of citizens abandoned their homes, offices, and shops in fear, many reciting the Kalima Tayyaba and verses from the Holy Quran as the ground shook beneath them.

Islamabad and Surrounding Areas

The tremors were strongly felt in Islamabad and its adjoining localities. Areas including Hassan Abdal, Kallar Syedan, and Kahuta also reported significant seismic activity.

Several KP Districts Jolted

Earthquake tremors were experienced across a wide range of districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Malakand, Mansehra, Torghar, Swat, Dir, and Mardan. Shocks were additionally reported in Parachinar, Landikotal in Khyber district, Buner, Chitral, Shangla, Nowshera, Battagram, Abbottabad, Kohat, Bannu, and surrounding regions.

In Battagram, residents rushed out of their homes and businesses while reciting the Kalima Tayyaba.

The tremors were also felt during an ongoing session of the KP Assembly. The Deputy Speaker briefly adjourned the sitting for five minutes in response to the seismic activity.

Punjab Cities Also Report Tremors

The earthquake was felt across several major districts of Punjab, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Mianwali, Multan, and the broader Potohar region.

Tremors were also reported in Taxila Cantt, Khushab, Malakwal, Safdarabad, Hafizabad, Bhera, Hassan Abdal, Kallar Syedan, Sangla Hill, Jhelum, Murree, and Gujar Khan.

In Malakwal, citizens rushed outdoors following the tremors, while in Bhera, residents stepped outside reciting Quranic verses. Sangla Hill and nearby localities also witnessed residents evacuating their homes out of fear. Similar scenes were reported in Nankana Sahib, Sargodha, Kallar Kahar, Kalabagh, Bhalwal, and Chiniot.

In Multan, the earthquake lasted only a few seconds; however, it was enough to cause noticeable alarm among the local population.

Earthquake Intensity and Epicentre

According to Pakistan’s Meteorological Department, the earthquake was recorded at a magnitude of 5.9 on the Richter scale, with a focal depth of 178 kilometres. The epicentre was identified in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan.

Reuters reported the earthquake at a magnitude of 6.0, also placing its epicentre within the Hindu Kush mountain range.

No Major Damage or Casualties Reported

As per initial reports, no significant loss of life or damage to property has been confirmed across the affected regions.

Tremors Felt in Afghanistan

The seismic event was also felt in several border areas of Afghanistan, including the capital, Kabul.