ISLAMABAD: An earthquake of 4.1 magnitude hit Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Wednesday, said the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which spread panic among the local population.
Pakistan is counted among the most seismically active countries in the world where there are several fault lines.
According to the PMD information, termers were felt in Karachi at 10:16pm. The epicenter was 15 kilometers north of the Defense Housing Authority and it was also 15 kilometers deep.
While local media reported some panic among people, there were no reports of casualties or damages.
Pakistan experienced a major earthquake in October 2005 that mainly affected the Kashmir region, killing several thousand people and leaving a significant number of families homeless.
More recently, 20 people lost their lives and over 200 were injured after a 5.9-magnitude quake struck Balochistan's Harnai district in October 2021.
Prime Minister Imran Khan instructed the relevant authorities to provide immediate assistance to people on an emergency basis after the tragedy in Balochistan while offering condolences to families who had lost their loved ones.
4.1-magnitude earthquake jolts Pakistan's Karachi
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4.1-magnitude earthquake jolts Pakistan's Karachi
- Experts count Pakistan among the most seismically active places in the world since it has several fault lines
- Wednesday's quake in Karachi caused some panic among people, though there were no reports of casualties or damages
Pakistan offers seaport for global cargo transshipment amid Gulf conflict escalation
- Karachi Port Trust says its services can ensure ‘continuity and stability’ of maritime trade
- The region is currently witnessing significant disruptions to global trade and oil shipments
KARACHI: Pakistan has offered its Karachi seaport for uninterrupted global cargo transshipments as escalating Middle East tensions threaten maritime trade, the country’s largest port operator said on Friday.
Iran has been rocked by joint US and Israeli strikes since Feb. 28 that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US, Israeli and allied targets across the Gulf, plunging the region into conflict and uncertainty.
The escalation disrupted air travel, heightened military activity, and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route carrying roughly 20 percent of global oil shipments.
The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) said in a statement it was ready to support international shipping lines by offering transshipment services to regional ports, helping ensure the “continuity and stability” of global maritime trade.
“Karachi Port Trust remains fully prepared to support the international maritime community and to provide reliable, efficient, and secure port services in the interest of sustaining regional trade connectivity,” KPT Chairman Shahid Ahmed said, according to a statement circulated by the port authority.
It added the facility could help stabilize maritime trade by offering transshipment services for cargo destined for ports across the region.
The statement said as a demonstration of its capability, international vessels MV TS TACOMA and MV TS SYDNEY arrived in Karachi and discharged large number of containers as transshipment cargo.
“The containers will subsequently be transshipped from Karachi to Jebel Ali in the Middle East,” it continued.
Pakistan Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Thursday highlighted the importance of the Gwadar port city’s transshipment role as major shipping routes face disruption from the ongoing conflict.
The developments come as the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway between Iran and Oman and one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, has been blocked by Iran which has threatened to attack ships that attempt to transit through it.
US President Donald Trump has assured shipping companies of naval escorts and insurance support to protect vessels.
The escalating tensions have contributed to a sharp rise in energy prices and significant disruptions to tanker traffic through the strategic waterway.
Pakistan has long viewed its seaports as strategic assets that could boost trade with Central Asia and the Gulf region, while helping the country earn valuable foreign exchange.
