A 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck Islamabad, Peshawar, and several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, according to the Seismic Monitoring Centre. Tremors were felt across major cities, including Swat, Nowshera, Shangla, and Buner, causing panic among residents.
Officials said the earthquake’s epicentre was located near the Afghanistan–Tajikistan border, at a depth of 170 kilometres. Despite the strong tremors, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Pakistan is highly prone to earthquakes due to its position along the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The country has witnessed several devastating quakes in the past, including the 2005 Kashmir earthquake that killed over 73,000 people.
Experts warn that difficult terrain in many regions makes rescue operations challenging, stressing the need for better preparedness and response systems.
