By ABDULLAH 
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake shook Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Tuesday morning, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
The tremors were recorded at 10:20 am, with the epicentre located in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region at a depth of 190 kilometres. Fortunately, no casualties or damage to property have been reported so far.
Residents in Peshawar, Swat, Chitral, Abbottabad, and Mansehra also felt the jolts. Emergency services, including Rescue 1122, confirmed that no emergency had been declared as the quake caused no visible damage.
Pakistan is situated at the convergence of three major tectonic plates – the Indian, Eurasian, and Arabian plates – making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world. The Hindu Kush mountain range, where today’s quake originated, is considered one of the most active seismic zones globally.
This region often experiences deep-focus earthquakes, sometimes reaching depths of over 200 km. Experts attribute this seismic activity to subduction-related processes and slab break-offs beneath the Hindu Kush–Pamir range, which forms part of the wider Himalayan seismic belt.
This is not the first earthquake to jolt northern Pakistan in recent weeks. Earlier this month, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake shook Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while a 5.5-magnitude tremor hit parts of KP in early August.
Other recent quakes include:
- June 11, 2025 – A 4.7-magnitude quake in Peshawar.
- May 2025 – A 5.3-magnitude tremor felt in Islamabad, Swat, Nowshera, and North Waziristan.
- April 2025 – Two moderate quakes (5.5 and 5.3) that were felt across KP, Punjab, and Azad Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Karachi has also seen unusual seismic activity this year, with over 30 mild tremors recorded in just a few days, linked to movement along the Landhi Fault Line.
Although today’s earthquake did not cause destruction, authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant. In case of strong tremors:
- Move to open spaces away from buildings.
- Drop, cover, and hold if indoors.
- Keep emergency kits, flashlights, and first-aid supplies ready.
While no damage has been reported, today’s tremor is another reminder of Pakistan’s vulnerability to frequent seismic activity. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as the region remains prone to future earthquakes due to its geological setting.