Punjab: 5.4-magnitude powerful earthquake jolts Pakistan’s Islamabad

A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Pakistan, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad, leaving residents in a state of panic.

According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC), the earthquake occurred at 2:04 a.m. PST at a depth of 102km, with its epicentre located in the Hindukush Mountain region in Afghanistan.

Tremors were also felt in various areas of Afghanistan and Tajikistan, NSMC stated.The earthquake was felt in numerous districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Swat, Malakand, Nowshera, Charsadda, Karak, Dir, Mardan, Mohmand, Shangla, Hangu, Swabi, Haripur, and Abbottabad, as per ARY News.

Tremors were also felt in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Lahore, Attock, Taxila, Murree, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Ferozwala, Muridke and other parts of Punjab.

According to ARY News, the quake caused widespread panic, prompting people to rush out of their homes and recite verses from the holy book.

However, no losses of life or property were reported.

Notably, Pakistan is considered one of the most seismically active countries in the world, situated in a region where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide.

This collision zone makes the country highly vulnerable to violent earthquakes. Provinces such as Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan lie on the southern edge of the Eurasian plate, while Sindh and Punjab are located on the northwestern edge of the Indian plate, contributing to frequent earthquake activity.

The country’s geography makes certain regions more prone to earthquakes, including the high-risk areas, which include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, due to their proximity to major fault lines like the Main Central Thrust.

Balochistan, located near the active boundary between the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Other vulnerable regions, such as Punjab, which lies on the northwestern edge of the Indian plate, are susceptible to seismic activity.

Sindh, though less prone, is still at risk due to its location.

One of the significant earthquakes in Pakistan’s history includes the 1945 Balochistan earthquake (8.1 magnitude), the largest earthquake in Pakistan’s history.

A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck near Islamabad, Pakistan, sending tremors across parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and even into neighboring regions of northern India. The quake, which occurred in the late afternoon, prompted brief moments of panic as residents rushed out of homes, offices, and schools. However, early reports from the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) confirmed that no major damage or casualties have been reported—a huge relief for both authorities and citizens.

Epicenter and Technical Details

According to the NSMC, the earthquake’s epicenter was located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, a mountainous area well-known for seismic activity due to tectonic plate movement between the Indian and Eurasian plates. The depth of the quake was recorded at approximately 180 kilometers, which helped reduce the intensity felt on the surface despite its significant magnitude.

Seismologists explained that deep-focus earthquakes, like this one, often cause widespread but less destructive shaking compared to shallow quakes. This is why, despite the strength of 5.4 on the Richter scale, Islamabad and nearby cities reported only mild to moderate tremors without infrastructure collapse.

Immediate Response from Authorities

Within minutes of the tremors, the Pakistan Meteorological Department and provincial disaster management authorities began issuing updates to keep the public informed. Police and rescue teams were placed on alert in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and surrounding towns.

Emergency helplines were activated, and citizens were encouraged to report any structural cracks, gas leaks, or other hazards. In Punjab, school administrators quickly implemented evacuation drills, moving children to open grounds until the tremors subsided. Such proactive measures demonstrate the growing effectiveness of Pakistan’s disaster preparedness strategies.

Public Reactions and Calm Handling

Videos circulating on social media showed people evacuating buildings in an orderly fashion, with many praising security guards, teachers, and office managers for staying calm and guiding people to safety. The tremors lasted between 15–20 seconds in most locations, long enough to be felt but short enough to avoid panic escalation.

In Islamabad’s Blue Area, one office worker remarked, “We have earthquake drills every few months, and this time they really paid off. Everyone knew where to go.” Positive feedback like this reinforces the importance of awareness and training in earthquake-prone regions.

Cross-Border Tremor Reports

Interestingly, residents in parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab (India) also reported feeling mild tremors. While there was no damage reported there either, the event served as a reminder that earthquakes don’t respect borders—making regional cooperation on disaster management a valuable necessity.

Seismic experts have long suggested that Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Nepal could benefit from joint early-warning networks to minimize disaster impact in this earthquake-active zone.

Why Islamabad Felt the Tremors Strongly

Islamabad’s geographical positioning makes it particularly sensitive to earthquakes originatin

g in the Hindu Kush mountains. Soft soil composition in certain parts of the city can amplify seismic waves, making tremors feel stronger even when the epicenter is far away.

Urban planners in Islamabad have been working over the years to enforce earthquake-resistant construction standards, especially after the devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake. The relatively minimal impact of this latest quake suggests that such measures are indeed helping.

Preparedness Over Panic

The earthquake served as a live test for Pakistan’s ongoing public awareness campaigns about seismic safety. Television channels quickly switched to safety reminders—urging people not to use elevators, to stand away from glass windows, and to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” during shaking.

Many families reported having emergency kits with bottled water, flashlights, and first-aid supplies ready—another sign that preparedness culture is slowly becoming part of everyday life in quake-prone areas.

A Positive Takeaway

While earthquakes are inherently unpredictable and often feared, this incident has a silver lining:

• No loss of life and minimal damage prove that awareness and preparedness work.

• Response coordination between local authorities and citizens was swift and effective.

• Cross-border awareness in India and Pakistan shows the value of shared safety practices.

Experts say the earthquake can be viewed as a reminder, not a tragedy—an opportunity to further strengthen community readiness for future seismic events.

Looking Ahead

Authorities in Islamabad and Punjab have announced plans to conduct post-event safety inspections in schools, hospitals, and government buildings. Engineers will check for micro-cracks and structural vulnerabilities that might have gone unnoticed.

Furthermore, disaster management officials are expected to organize refresher training sessions for evacuation drills in both urban and rural areas. The goal is clear: to ensure that if a stronger quake hits in the future, communities are ready to respond quickly and safely.

Final Note

A 5.4-magnitude earthquake is not something to take lightly, but Islamabad and Punjab handled the situation admirably. With no reported casualties, minimal disruption, and a clear display of public discipline, this quake stands as proof that awareness, preparedness, and community cooperation can turn a potentially dangerous event into a manageable one.

In a region that sits atop active seismic zones, the resilience shown during this incident is a positive sign for the future—one that could inspire similar preparedness efforts in other earthquake-prone countries.