A moderate earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale shook several parts of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore, and multiple districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC), the earthquake originated in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan at a depth of around 174 kilometres.

The deep-focus quake caused tremors that were widely felt across Peshawar, Swat, Shangla, Buner, Lower Dir and surrounding areas in KP, as well as in major urban centres like Lahore and Islamabad.The NSMC confirmed that despite the widespread shaking, no immediate reports of major damage or casualties were recorded in the initial assessment.Separately, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a slightly stronger magnitude of 5.5 for the same seismic event, located in Jurm, Afghanistan, at a depth of approximately 216.7 kilometres.

Experts note that deep earthquakes in the Hindu Kush region are relatively common due to complex tectonic activity between the Indian and Eurasian plates.The article also highlights that Pakistan lies in a seismically active zone and frequently experiences earthquakes of varying intensity.Just a week earlier, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake had also affected Islamabad, Punjab, and KP, with tremors felt across multiple cities.

Historical references include the devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake and other recent seismic incidents, underlining the country's vulnerability.

Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity and stress the importance of preparedness in earthquake-prone regions, especially given Pakistan’s challenging mountainous terrain which can complicate emergency response efforts.