A strong earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck the Hindu Kush region in Afghanistan on Saturday evening, sending tremors across a large part of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Punjab, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. This event occurred amid a series of moderate earthquakes that rattled Balochistan over two days, with five tremors ranging from 4.2 to 5.2 magnitude, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
Balochistan Hit by Five Earthquakes
Between Friday and Saturday, Balochistan experienced five earthquakes. The first struck at 10:25am on Friday with a magnitude of 4.2, its epicentre 57 kilometres northeast of Sibi at a depth of 42 kilometres. At 10:58am, a 5.0-magnitude earthquake hit near Kohlu, with an epicentre 65 kilometres northeast of Kohlu at a depth of 18 kilometres. A third tremor of 5.1 magnitude struck the same area at 4:49pm on Friday, its epicentre 60 kilometres northeast of Kohlu at a depth of 17 kilometres, and was felt in Zhob, Barkhan and Rakhni.
Seismic activity continued on Saturday morning. A 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck north of Kohlu at a depth of 15 kilometres. At 8:21am, the strongest tremor of the spell, measuring 5.2, jolted the province. The quake originated 58 kilometres northeast of Barkhan at a depth of 19 kilometres and was felt in Kohlu, Barkhan and Rakhni. Later on Saturday evening, a 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded at 8:30pm, with its epicentre about 50 kilometres northwest of Kohlu at a depth of 12 kilometres.
Damage and Injuries in Balochistan
More than 20 people were injured and dozens of houses were damaged in Musakhail district, Deputy Commissioner Abdul Razzaq Khajak told Reuters. The disaster management authority in Balochistan reported that around 125 houses were damaged and relief teams were dispatched with tents, food, solar panels, blankets and other items. The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) said the 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck 52 kilometres northeast of Barkhan at a depth of 19 kilometres, while the United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured it at 5.4 magnitude with a depth of 10 kilometres.
Separate 5.9-Magnitude Earthquake from Hindu Kush
At 6:35pm on Saturday, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck with its epicentre in Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region at a depth of 178 kilometres. Tremors were felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mansehra, Shangla, Swat, Chakwal, Abbottabad, Taxila, Haripur and Buner. The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported shaking in Lahore, Faisalabad, Attock, Mianwali, Multan, the Potohar region and several other districts. People ran out in panic in Swat, resident Daniyal Ahmad told Reuters. "It was very huge here in Swat and it lasted for quite a long time. People came out of their houses and women and children were seen crying in panic," he said. No casualties were immediately reported.
Government Response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the damage and ordered an urgent response from authorities to help those affected, his office said. The Punjab PDMA mobilised district administrations to inspect buildings in affected areas. Director General PDMA said no casualties or property damage had been reported in Punjab so far. The provincial control room and district emergency operation centres remain operational round the clock, and citizens have been advised to report earthquake-related incidents through the PDMA helpline 1129. Punjab Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad confirmed no reports of injuries or damage were received.
Tectonic Context
Director of the National Seismic Centre Ameer Haider Laghari said Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lie on the Eurasian tectonic plate and the recent earthquakes were occurring along its upper surface. He linked the seismic activity to broader global tectonic movements, noting that a powerful earthquake in Venezuela generated underground energy waves travelling through interconnected plates. Laghari cautioned that additional earthquakes could occur along the Eurasian plate until these energy waves dissipate. Pakistan sits at the junction of the Eurasian, Indian and Arabian tectonic plates, making the Himalayan, Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges particularly vulnerable to frequent and powerful earthquakes from plate collisions.
