Did a 5.3-Magnitude Earthquake Hit Punjab, Pakistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The earthquake measured 5.3 on the Richter scale.
- No significant damage or casualties reported.
- Epicenter was 149 km west of Multan.
- Shallow depth of 10 km recorded.
- Pakistan is located in a seismically active zone.
Islamabad, June 29 (NationPress) A seismic event measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale occurred in central Pakistan on Sunday, as confirmed by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) on Monday.
The quake was felt around 3:54 am Indian Standard Time (IST), with a recorded depth of 10 kilometres, suggesting it was a shallow earthquake.
According to GFZ, the epicentre was identified approximately 149 kilometres west of Multan, a prominent city in Punjab province. Fortunately, no immediate reports indicated injuries, fatalities, or considerable damage to infrastructure.
India's National Centre for Seismology (NCS) also monitored the tremor, measuring its magnitude slightly lower at 5.2.
The NCS noted that the earthquake occurred at latitude 30.25°N and longitude 69.82°E, with a greater depth of 150 kilometres, which can sometimes lessen the surface impact of such events.
On its official X handle, the NCS shared details stating: "EQ of M: 5.2, On: 29/06/2025 03:54:02 IST, Lat: 30.25 N, Long: 69.82 E, Depth: 150 Km, Location: Pakistan."
Pakistan is frequently subjected to seismic activity due to its positioning along the active boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
This collision zone renders areas like Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa particularly susceptible to earthquakes.
While this recent tremor did not result in visible damage or casualties, local authorities typically advise residents in earthquake-prone regions to stay vigilant and adhere to safety protocols in the event of aftershocks, as reported by local media.
In 2015, a devastating 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Pakistan and Afghanistan led to nearly 400 fatalities, largely due to challenging terrain that hindered relief efforts.
In 2021, Balochistan was struck by a quake that resulted in at least 20 deaths and injured over 10 others, with landslides obstructing initial rescue operations in the remote mountainous region of Harnai.