Islamabad, April 12, 2025: A 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck northern Pakistan on Saturday afternoon, sending tremors through Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and multiple districts across Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed.
According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre, the quake’s epicentre was located 60 kilometres northwest of Rawalpindi at a shallow depth of 12 kilometres, and the tremors were recorded at 12:31 PM local time.
The jolt caused panic among residents, especially in the twin cities, where people rushed out of homes, offices, and shopping centers. Similar shocks were reported in Swat, Swabi, Buner, Sangla Hill, and parts of central and northern Punjab, including Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujrat.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab stated that while the tremors were strong, no casualties or property damage had been reported so far. Emergency teams remain on high alert, and control rooms are operational across affected districts.
“The PDMA’s provincial control room and local emergency centers are fully functional,” said the Director General of PDMA Punjab. “Any emergency can be reported at our helpline 1129.”
Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious, especially in high-rise buildings, and to be prepared for possible aftershocks.
