Series of Earthquakes Shake Punjab and Northern Pakistan, Trigger Panic in Multiple Cities
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- April 16, 2025
- 12:50 pm
- 38
- Trending
Series of earthquakes in Pakistan shook several parts of the country today, spreading panic in cities across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Multiple tremors were reported, with epicenters in the Hindu Kush region and near the Pak-Afghan border.
Strong Quake Hits Early Morning
A powerful earthquake struck early this morning. Pakistan’s National Seismological Centre recorded a magnitude of 5.9. The epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan at a depth of 89 kilometers.
The US Geological Survey gave a slightly different reading. It reported a magnitude of 5.6 and placed the epicenter 69 kilometers from Parun, a city in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province.
Tremors were widely felt in Peshawar, Mansehra, Landikotal, Swat, Nowshera, Malakand, and several cities across Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujrat, Wah Cantt, Sialkot, and Attock. People rushed outside in fear, reciting prayers and gathering in open spaces.
Authorities are closely monitoring the series of earthquakes in Pakistan as tremors continue to strike different areas throughout the day
Another Quake Follows Shortly After
A second tremor was felt later in the morning. This one also measured 5.6 in magnitude. The epicenter again lay in the Hindu Kush region, with a depth of 69 kilometers.
Reports confirmed the shaking in Chitral, Upper Dir, Shangla, Buner, Bajaur, Ghizer, and urban areas like Taxila and Lahore.
Tremors were also felt across the border in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
Recent Earthquakes Across the Region
Today’s activity follows a series of earthquakes in Pakistan over the past few days. On April 12, a 4.3-magnitude earthquake hit at 11:54 am near the Pak-Afghan-Tajikistan border. It struck at a depth of 88 kilometers.
Just 36 minutes later, a stronger quake rattled Islamabad and nearby areas. That one measured 5.5 in magnitude, with a shallow depth of 12 kilometers. The epicenter was 60 kilometers northwest of Rawalpindi.
Residents in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujar Khan, Haripur, Abbottabad, Wah Cantt, Attock, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Jhang, and Taxila felt the tremors and evacuated buildings.
Earlier Earthquake on March 27
On March 27, a 5.2-magnitude quake was recorded. It originated near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border at a depth of 198 kilometers. It was felt in Islamabad, Chitral, Shangla, and Swat. No damage was reported, but the tremors caused widespread panic.
Pakistan’s Earthquake Risk Remains High
Pakistan lies on the boundary of three major tectonic plates — the Indian, Arabian, and Eurasian. This makes the country highly vulnerable to earthquakes. Experts say five major seismic zones cover the region.
According to seismologists, frequent low-to-moderate tremors help release underground pressure. They believe this series of earthquakes in Pakistan may reduce the risk of a more powerful and destructive earthquake in the future.
