A 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck northern Pakistan early Saturday, shaking cities like Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar. No casualties reported as tremors lasted several seconds, causing panic among residents.
WEBDESK, August 2, 2025 — A moderate earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale jolted the upper parts of Pakistan in the early hours of Saturday, sending tremors across multiple cities but causing no reported loss of life or property, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The quake struck at 2:03 AM and had its epicenter in Farkhār, Afghanistan, at a depth of 122.6 kilometers, the USGS confirmed.
Tremors were widely felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad, Swabi, Mardan, and several adjoining areas. In many localities, startled residents rushed out of their homes, and some shared their experiences online using hashtags such as #earthquake and #PakistanQuake.
“We were asleep when a sudden jolt woke us up around 2 in the morning,” said Kanwal Khan, a resident of Islamabad.
In Lahore, panic gripped residents for a brief period as the tremors lasted unusually long.
“I felt the tremors around 2:03 am while I was awake. The shaking was quite intense and lasted for a long 10 seconds,” said Mrs. Zoobia Imran, a resident of Lahore.
A viral image on social media showed people stepping out of a restaurant in Lahore as the ground shook — a reminder of past seismic events that have left deep impressions on the public psyche.
While no official statement about damages was issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) or other government agencies, seismic experts reiterated the importance of preparedness in such tectonically active regions.
“Reports of earthquake in different cities of Pakistan, including Lahore and the capital Islamabad,” wrote Dr. Ahmad Rehan Khan, a user on the platform X (formerly Twitter). “May God protect everyone.”
Pakistan lies near the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it highly vulnerable to seismic activity. In recent years, mild-to-moderate earthquakes have become relatively frequent in the northern and northwestern regions.
Authorities have advised the public to remain alert and follow safety protocols in case of aftershocks.
