3rd August 2025
A 4.8 magnitude earthquake rattled Pakistan in the early hours of Sunday, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The tremor struck at 00:40 Indian Standard Time (IST), originating at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, amplifying its intensity.
The NCS posted the seismic data on X (formerly Twitter), pinpointing the epicentre at Latitude 33.36°N and Longitude 73.23°E within Pakistan.
This comes just hours after a stronger 5.4 magnitude quake jolted parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad on Saturday, triggering panic among residents, as reported by ARY News.
Shallow earthquakes—like this one—pose a higher risk as seismic waves reach the surface faster, leading to stronger shaking, greater structural damage, and increased casualties.
Pakistan sits on multiple active fault lines, making it one of the most earthquake-prone nations in the world.
Key regions at risk include: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa & Gilgit-Baltistan (near the Main Central Thrust)
Balochistan (on the Arabian-Eurasian plate boundary)
Punjab & Sindh (on the Indian plate’s edge)
Pakistan has witnessed devastating quakes, including the 1945 Balochistan earthquake (8.1 magnitude), the deadliest in its history. Authorities are assessing damage, and updates will follow.