Multiple cities in Punjab, as well as the federal capital, reported feeling an earthquake on Saturday evening, hours after two quakes jolted Balochistan. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department ( PMD), the earthquake struck at 6:35pm. Sources close to the matter say additional details are expected to emerge soon.

Background

This situation has been building for some time, shaped by a series of interconnected events.

Its epicentre was in Afghanistan ’ s Hindu Kush region, with a magnitude of 5.9 and a depth of 178 kilometres.

Punjab Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad said that they did not receive any reports of damage or injury to anyone after the earthquake.

Alongside the primary story, three injured in Balochistan Earlier today, at least three people were injured after two earthquakes of 5.2- and 4.3-magnitude jolted a vast area of Balochistan, including Barkhan district, leaders indicated.

Analysis

With opinions divided in some quarters, the overall assessment remains significant.

The depth of the 5.2-magnitude earthquake was 19 kilometres, while its epicentre was located 52 kilometres north-east of Barkhan, according to the PDMA and the National Seismic Monitoring Centre ( NSMC).

Reports further indicate that however, the United States Geological Survey ( USGS) put its magnitude at 5.4, with a depth of 10km and striking the areas at 8:06am.

In a related development, officials said that other areas struck by the earthquake include Rakhni, Kohlu and Musakhail.

National Impact

For those directly affected, the consequences are both immediate and long-lasting.

The earthquake followed a 4.3-magnitude tremor whose epicentre was located in the same area.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, officials of the PDMA and local administration rushed to the affected areas and launched a rescue operation following receiving reports of the earthquakes.

Significantly, on Friday, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake jolted the same area, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department ( PMD).

What has become increasingly clear is that in a press release, the PMD said the quake ’ s epicentre was 60km northeast of Kohlu and that it was felt in the Zhob, Barkhan and Rakhni areas.

Alongside the primary story, on Monday, a 5.4-magnitude earthquake jolted parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Islamabad.

What Happens Next

This remains an active and fast-moving story. With significant stakes and wide-ranging implications, the next few days are expected to bring greater clarity on several outstanding questions.