PESHAWAR – June 5, 2025:
A mild earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale struck Peshawar and surrounding areas on Wednesday, sparking brief concern among residents but causing no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
According to the Seismological Centre, the tremors originated from the Hindu Kush mountain range in neighboring Afghanistan — a region known for its seismic activity. The quake occurred at a depth of 211 kilometres, which significantly reduced its surface impact.
This is the latest in a series of seismic events to hit the region in recent months. Just weeks earlier, on May 2, a 5.3-magnitude earthquake shook Islamabad and multiple cities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Mardan, Swat, Nowshera, Swabi, and North Waziristan. That tremor also originated in the Hindu Kush, at a slightly deeper depth of 230 kilometres, with coordinates recorded at 36.63°N, 71.13°E.
The pattern continued from mid-April when two other moderate quakes — one of 5.5 magnitude on April 12, and another of 5.3 magnitude on April 16 — rattled parts of KP, Punjab, Azad Kashmir, and northern Afghanistan. Affected cities included Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Mohmand, Swabi, and Malakand, among others.
Seismic Risk Growing Across Pakistan
Pakistan is located on a highly active seismic zone at the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This makes regions such as KP, AJK, and northern Punjab particularly vulnerable to regular seismic activity.
While the northern and western regions remain primary earthquake hotspots, the southern port city of Karachi has also experienced unusual seismic fluctuations recently. Over the past few weeks, Karachi recorded around 30 mild tremors, which experts attribute to reactivation along the Landhi Fault Line after decades of dormancy.
Chief Meteorologist Aamir Haider explained that the fault line is undergoing a “normalisation phase,” and urged citizens not to panic but to remain vigilant and adhere to safety guidelines.
Preparedness is Key
Though Wednesday’s quake caused no visible damage, experts continue to warn that urban centers must improve earthquake preparedness, especially in densely populated areas. Authorities are encouraging public awareness campaigns, improved building codes, and readiness drills to mitigate the impact of future tremors.
