Earthquake tremors shake Islamabad, Lahore, and several other cities

Earthquake tremors shake Islamabad, Lahore, and several other cities

A powerful earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck parts of Pakistan on Saturday evening, sending residents rushing out of homes and buildings in several cities.

Tremors were felt in the federal capital Islamabad and surrounding areas, as well as in Lahore, Mianwali and nearby districts.

The earthquake was also experienced across the Rawalpindi region, including Chakwal and Jhang.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, strong tremors were reported in Shangla and Buner, while residents in Mardan, Charsadda, Swat, Swabi, Kohat, Karak, Malakand, Bajaur and Hangu also felt the shaking.

The tremors were strong enough to briefly disrupt proceedings in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly in Peshawar, where the session was suspended for five minutes.

Earthquake shocks were also reported in Lower Dir, South Waziristan, Wana and parts of Diamer district.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, residents of Neelum Valley, Athmuqam, Muzaffarabad and surrounding areas also experienced the earthquake.

According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre, the earthquake measured 5.9 in magnitude and originated in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan.

The earthquake struck at approximately 6:35pm local time and occurred at a depth of 178 kilometres beneath the surface.

Meanwhile, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported the earthquake’s magnitude as 6.0 and also identified the epicentre in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountain region.

Following the tremors, local administrations and emergency authorities began assessing buildings and infrastructure for possible damage.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority in Punjab said district administrations across affected areas had been instructed to inspect buildings and monitor the situation.

Officials confirmed that emergency operation centres and control rooms across Punjab remain fully functional and on alert to respond to any incidents.

No immediate reports of casualties or major damage were received following the earthquake.