Strong quake jolts Pakistan, Afghanistan

A strong quake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale rocked eastern Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan, including capital Islamabad, Tuesday morning.
The tremors were felt at around 8.40 a.m. (local time) in Islamabad, rattling beds and windows and leading to panic.
Meteorological officials said the epicentre of the quake was about 300 km north of Peshawar in the Hindukash Mountains.
"The epicentre is within Afghanistan," said Mushtaq Ali Shah of Pakistan’s meteorological department.
The official said the earthquake was also felt in Peshawar, Lahore, Multan and other areas in Pakistan.
There was no immediate report of casualties or property losses in Pakistan.
The quake brought alive the memories of the Oct 8, 2005 quake, which left thousands dead and millions homeless in north Pakistan and India’s Jammu and Kashmir.
Courtesy: ON

Refugee riots break out in Pakistan

An eruption of riots after an Afghan refugee was killed in Pakistan prompted United Nations officials to stop the refugee repatriation program indefinitely.
Police fired tear gas shells and used batons to disperse the rock-throwing demonstrators who had blocked the Peshawar-Torkham road Saturday, the Dawn news agency reported. A U.N. refugees commissioner said the refugee verification center was closed as a precaution.
Courtesy: PC