A strong earthquake jolted parts of Pakistan on Friday morning, sending waves of panic across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Swat, and different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.According to seismologists, the earthquake measured 5.5 in magnitude on Richter scale with its epicentre in Afghanistan’s Hindukush region.The Meteorological Department confirmed that the earthquake struck at a depth of 195 kilometres.

The tremors were widely felt in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as in northern and western regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Strong jolts were reported in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Residents of Peshawar, Swat, Charsadda, and Buner felt severe tremors, with many rushing out of their homes in fear. Lower Dir and Mardan also experienced noticeable shaking, while Landikotal in Khyber district reported aftershocks across surrounding areas.

In urban centres such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar, people evacuated buildings as the tremors rattled homes and offices. In Swat, Chitral, and nearby mountainous regions, residents expressed serious concern over possible aftershocks due to the earthquake’s depth and location in the seismically active Hindu Kush zone.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)