ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and several cities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday afternoon, triggering panic among residents though no immediate casualties or property damage were reported.
According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC), the earthquake occurred at 12:31 PM, with a shallow depth of 12 kilometres. The epicentre was located 60 kilometres northwest of Rawalpindi, at latitude 33.90 N and longitude 72.66 E.
Tremors were also felt across parts of Punjab, including Attock, Chakwal, Gujrat, Lahore, and Faisalabad, as well as several districts of KP such as Peshawar, Mardan, Mohmand, Swabi, Nowshera, Lakki Marwat, Lower Dir, Malakand, and Shabqadar.
Public Panic but No Damage Reported
While there were no confirmed reports of casualties or structural damage, the tremors sent shockwaves across urban and rural communities, leading to mass evacuations from buildings, homes, and offices.
“I was in my building in Sector F-11 when it began swaying. Everyone rushed outside in fear,” said a resident of Islamabad.
Waqar Bhatti, a journalist and resident of Sector B-17, recalled: “I was standing on my balcony when I felt a jolt. Even the parrots in their cage began fluttering in panic. My wife shouted, ‘Zalzala araha hai!’ and we immediately evacuated.”
Another resident, Muhammad Ibrahim, who was at a mechanic’s workshop on the city’s outskirts, said the tremors were “brief but noticeable.” He added, “The bench we were sitting on shook, and the second jolt felt stronger. We ran out of the shop immediately.”
Recent Seismic Activity and Expert Opinion
This event follows a 4.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Karachi on March 31, and a 3.9-magnitude tremor in Barkhan, Balochistan, on April 1. No damage was reported in either incident.
Amir Hyder, a seismology expert from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), told Geo News that the latest tremor is part of a “series of seismic aftershocks following the recent quake in Kashmir.” He attributed the shallow depth of the earthquake as a reason it was strongly felt, despite its moderate magnitude.
Precautionary Measures in Place
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed that the quake was felt in multiple districts and emphasized that no loss of life or property has been reported. The authority has directed local administrations to inspect buildings and assess the need for any precautionary or safety measures.
PDMA Director General stated that personnel and equipment have been placed on high alert in anticipation of any aftershocks. Citizens are encouraged to report damage or concerns via the helpline 1129.
A Region Prone to Seismic Activity
Pakistan lies on the active boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it highly susceptible to earthquakes. Geologists note that the Indian plate continues to push northward into the Eurasian plate, a movement responsible for frequent seismic activity in the region.
Although this latest quake caused no damage, it serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to sudden seismic shocks — especially in densely populated urban areas like Islamabad.
