Tremors were felt in Islamabad and several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
Read More: 5.5-magnitude quake jolts Islamabad, KP
PMD said the quake occurred at 11:46am with a depth of 170 kilometres, adding that its epicentre was located near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border. Residents in Islamabad, Swat, Shangla, and Buner reported feeling strong jolts.
However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a lower magnitude of 5.1 and a depth of 105.1 kilometres, showing slight variation in seismic readings between monitoring agencies.
An earthquake recorded on 27-04-2026 at 11:46 PST
Mag: 5.7
Depth: 170 Km
Lat: 37.32 °N
Long: 71.30 °E
Epicenter: Afghanistan- Tajikistan Border Region
Felt Report: Islamabad, Swat, Shangla, Buner.
PMD ISLAMABAD. pic.twitter.com/JLrxpkXmZ3— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) April 27, 2026
No immediate reports of casualties or major damage were confirmed, though authorities advised residents in affected areas to remain alert for possible aftershocks as seismic activity continued to be monitored.
Pakistan lies on multiple active tectonic plates, including the Arabian, Eurasian, and Indian plates, making it prone to frequent earthquakes due to several intersecting fault lines across the region.
Earlier this month, similar tremors were also reported in Balochistan and parts of northern Pakistan, highlighting the region’s ongoing seismic vulnerability.
Seismologists note that differences in reported magnitude between PMD and USGS are common due to variations in measurement methods, sensor locations, and data processing models used to calculate earthquake strength. Experts explain that deeper earthquakes, such as this one originating at over 100 kilometres, are often felt over a wider area but may cause less surface damage compared to shallow events of similar magnitude.
Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity across the region, as Pakistan lies in one of the world’s most active earthquake zones, where minor to moderate tremors are frequently recorded throughout the year.
Read More: Tremors from 6.2 magnitude quake jolt twin cities, parts of KP, Punjab
Authorities urged citizens to follow safety advisories and stay updated through official alerts and avoid panic during mild tremors. Emergency services remain on standby in affected districts officials said after the earthquake today.