An earthquake of magnitude 3.9 on the Richter scale was recorded in Pakistan at 09:57:59 am (IST) on Saturday (21 February 2026). This information has been given by India’s National Center for Seismology (NCS). According to NCS, the epicenter of the earthquake was recorded about 10 kilometers below the ground. An earthquake of 3.9 magnitude generally falls in the category of mild to moderate tremors. An earthquake of such intensity is generally less likely to cause large-scale damage, although tremors may be felt by people at a local level.
At present, no information has been received about any loss of life or property. The local administration is keeping an eye on the situation. Pakistan is located in a seismically sensitive area, where earthquakes of mild and moderate intensity are recorded from time to time. Experts say that earthquakes that occur at a depth of 10 km can be felt more clearly on the surface, but due to the low intensity, the possibility of major damage is less. An official update is awaited for further information on the situation.
Why does earthquake occur in Pakistan?
Pakistan is counted among the most earthquake affected countries in the world. The main reason for this is its geographical location. It is located in the area where the Indian tectonic plate and the Eurasian tectonic plate collide. Due to the constant movement and pressure of these plates, seismic activities keep happening repeatedly in this area. Areas like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan are located near major fault lines. In these areas, the movement of plates under the ground is more active, due to which there is a greater risk of large and destructive earthquakes. In history, Balochistan and Northern Pakistan have suffered many severe earthquakes, which caused huge loss of life and property.
