Earthquake rattles Pakistan at Iftar time — Islamabad, Peshawar, and dozens of cities shaken; no casualties reported

Islamabad / Peshawar — A moderate earthquake jolted multiple cities across Pakistan during Iftar time on Sunday evening, sending panicked residents rushing into the streets as tremors shook homes and buildings across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and the federal capital.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s Seismological Centre, the earthquake registered a magnitude of 5.7 on the Richter scale at a depth of 79 kilometres. The epicentre was located in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region — one of the world’s most seismically active zones.
Tremors were felt across a wide swathe of the country including Islamabad, Peshawar, Mardan, Bajaur, Parachinar, Malakand, North Waziristan, Swabi, Upper Dir, and Sargodha. Because the quake struck at Iftar — when most families were gathered at home breaking their fast — the tremors triggered immediate panic, with women, children, and the elderly fleeing into open spaces.
The Hindu Kush region is a well-known hotspot for seismic activity due to its position along tectonic plate boundaries, and tremors originating there frequently radiate across northern and central Pakistan.  (Axios)
No casualties or structural damage were immediately reported. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and provincial disaster management authorities activated their monitoring protocols and urged citizens to remain calm, avoid damaged structures, and stay tuned to official alerts.
Pakistan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, lying at the convergence of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates — a geological reality that makes northern and western regions particularly vulnerable to frequent seismic events.  (Al Jazeera)
Authorities have advised residents to check their surroundings for any structural damage and report emergencies to NDMA’s helpline 1129.