A 5.5-magnitude earthquake jolted northern Pakistan on Saturday, shaking Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and multiple areas in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as confirmed by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The National Seismic Monitoring Centre pinpointed the epicenter about 60 kilometers northwest of Rawalpindi, at a depth of 12 kilometers, and the quake struck at 12:31 p.m.
People in Islamabad and Rawalpindi rushed out of their homes and buildings as strong tremors sent panic through the cities. Similar shocks were felt in Swat, Swabi, Buner, Sangla Hill, and neighboring regions.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab confirmed that cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujrat also experienced the tremors.
So far, there are no reports of casualties or property damage, PDMA officials stated.
Emergency services have been alerted, and response teams are ready to handle any developing situations.
“The PDMA’s provincial control room and district emergency operation centers remain operational 24/7,” said DG PDMA Punjab. “Any damage or emergency can be reported via the PDMA helpline at 1129.”
Officials are closely watching for aftershocks and have urged residents to remain vigilant.