A 5.1 magnitude earthquake rattled parts of Pakistan’s Punjab province, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) early Sunday, sending tremors through major cities.

The quake, striking at 00:10 PST, was centered 15 km east-southeast of Rawat, near Rawalpindi. The quake, occurring at a depth of 10 km, was also felt strongly in Gujrat, Jhelum, and several other towns and cities across the region. Its epicenter, pinpointed at 33.45°N, 73.31°E, is near the Rawat Fault, a seismically active zone within the Potohar Plateau. The shaking intensity reached level V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, classified as moderate to strong.

While the tremor’s depth amplified its impact across a wide area, the moderate magnitude suggests a lower probability of extensive structural harm. As of now, no casualties or significant property damage have been reported. Authorities are vigilantly monitoring the affected areas and conducting assessments.

The affected region lies within a zone known for frequent seismic disturbances due to its proximity to the Indian-Eurasian plate boundary. Experts anticipate minor aftershocks, possibly up to magnitude 3.0, in the coming days. Emergency management officials are