National Seismic Monitoring Centre has categorized Pakistan into three distinct earthquake risk zones, based on proximity to fault lines, tsunami threats, and areas where tremors are frequently felt.
More than a dozen cities are located directly on or very close to active fault lines. These high-risk areas include Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Abbottabad. Experts consider these cities especially vulnerable to seismic activity.
Another category covers tsunami-prone regions, including coastal areas such as Karachi, Gwadar, and Ormara. These zones face potential threats due to their location along the Arabian Sea.
The third category consists of regions where tremors are regularly felt but are located farther from major fault lines. Central Punjab, for instance, lies away from active seismic zones and faces comparatively lower risk.
Seismologists emphasize the need for better understanding of fault lines and preparedness in high-risk areas.
For more on how fault lines are monitored and mapped, we spoke with Samaa correspondent Umar Asif in Islamabad.
