Shakes were experienced in a number of cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, creating panic among people although no immediate reports of injuries or destruction have been received.
The earthquake had a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale, said the National Seismological Centre. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 230 kilometers and had its epicentre in the Hindukush region of Afghanistan.
Residents in Peshawar, Chitral, Upper Dir, Mardan, Khyber, Malakand, Swat, Mohmand, and the surrounding areas experienced the tremors. Numerous people evacuated houses and buildings as a precaution, even though the deep epicenter minimized the effects on the surface.
Authorities have advised people to remain calm but alert, since aftershocks can be expected. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is keeping a close watch on the situation.
