A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck several regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Islamabad on Wednesday, causing tremors that were felt across multiple cities. The earthquake, with its epicenter in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, triggered fear but, so far, no reports of casualties or significant damage have emerged.
The moderate earthquake was felt in multiple areas, including Peshawar, Swat, Malakand, Swabi, and Mansehra in KP, as well as the city of Gahkuch in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer district. The tremors also reached parts of Islamabad, sending residents scrambling for safety.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the earthquake’s epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, a known seismic hotspot. While the quake caused widespread concern, the PMD reported no immediate casualties or structural damage in the affected regions. This earthquake adds to a series of tremors in northern Pakistan, many of which have been linked to seismic activity in the Hindu Kush region in recent months.
Earlier in the month, a 5.2-magnitude quake also shook Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and parts of KP, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to seismic events. Pakistan lies along a major fault line where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, making the country prone to earthquakes, particularly in the northern and mountainous areas.
Meanwhile, Karachi has experienced unusual seismic activity this year, with more than 30 mild tremors recorded in June. Experts suggest that these are linked to movement along the long-dormant Landhi Fault Line.
