While calling low-scale tremors “a good thing” due to the release of the earth’s energy, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also warned of the possibility of a major earthquake, citing concerns over pre-shocks that often precede larger seismic events.
His statement came as Karachi experienced a total of 19 mild earthquake tremors since Sunday night — an event unprecedented in the city's recent history.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a rehabilitation centre for children with physical and neurodevelopmental conditions in Karachi, Shah criticised the decision to evacuate inmates from prison due to the tremors.
"God forbid, if there is a major earthquake, nothing would be left behind. But these 3.0–3.2 magnitude tremors don’t cause such damage to single-storey buildings," he said.
Read more: Karachi hit by 19 mild tremors since Sunday
“I studied earthquake engineering long ago… these low-scale tremors are actually a good thing — the earth is releasing its energy,” he added, while responding to reporters’ questions about the previous day’s jailbreak incident.
Shah further explained that if seismic energy is released all at once, it can trigger a major earthquake. “But if it is released in bits, then it is better — nothing is really good in such a situation — but it helps prevent a large-scale disaster,” he said.
He also acknowledged that pre-shocks often precede larger earthquakes, which naturally leads to public anxiety. “I have spoken to seismologists, and we are following their advice as closely as possible,” he assured.
According to the Early Tsunami Warning Centre in Karachi, 19 mild tremors have been officially recorded so far. The strongest measured 3.6 magnitude on the Richter scale, while the weakest was 2.1.
Of these, 11 tremors were recorded in the Malir district, while others were felt in the southwestern parts of Korangi and the northeastern areas of DHA.
Read more: Geologist claims he predicted Karachi earthquakes four days in advance
Experts attributed the unusual seismic activity to shifts in underground tectonic layers. These tremors, they said, result from the gradual release of energy caused by low-level movement beneath the earth’s surface.
Shahbaz Laghari, CEO of the Earthquake News & Research Centre, claimed that his team had predicted the tremors in Karachi four days in advance. He warned that similar tremors could occur five to ten more times in the coming days.
He added that the upcoming nights of Friday and Saturday could be particularly critical, urging the Sindh government to issue precautionary warnings to the public.
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