Tremors were felt across parts of Punjab late Thursday night after a 3.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Jaranwala, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said.
The quake, recorded at 11:56 pm at a depth of 40 kilometres, had its epicentre 16 kilometres south of Jaranwala. Residents reported rushing outdoors as fear and panic spread.
It was the second quake in Punjab this week and the third this month.
Earlier, an earthquake was felt in several areas of Punjab, including Multan, according to initial reports received by the PDMA from districts across the province.
The quake was recorded at a magnitude of 4.8 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre 126 kilometres west of Multan at a depth of 55 kilometres, the PDMA spokesperson said.
DG PDMA stated that administrative teams across Punjab inspected buildings following the tremors.
PDMA’s Provincial Control Room and all District Emergency Operation Centres remained on 24/7 alert, he added.
This marked the second earthquake in Punjab this month, after a previous tremor was recorded on September 4.
