Moderate quake hits Pakistan: Seismologists

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake jolted northern and central Pakistan, forcing residents to leave their homes, officials said.

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake jolted northern and central Pakistan on Saturday, forcing residents to leave their homes, officials and witnesses said.

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The quake, which hit at 10:17 am (0547 GMT), struck Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region near the border with Pakistan. It struck at a depth of 174 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said.

A seismologist in Pakistan told AFP they were measuring the strength of the tremor, which was felt in the capital Islamabad and more strongly in the northwestern city of Peshawar.

"It appears to be of moderate strength and we are checking," said Qamar-uz Zamam, director general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department.