PESHAWAR: Earthquake tremors were felt in the northern parts of Pakistan on Friday but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, officials said.

The epicentre of the 5.1 magnitude earthquake was in the Hindu Kush mountains and its depth was measured at 73 kilometres, a meteorological department official said.

The tremors from the quake were felt in Peshawar, Chitral and adjoining areas leading to fear and panic among residents who stepped out of their homes and workplaces.

Pakistan straddles part of the boundary where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, making the country susceptible to earthquakes.

It was hit by a 7.6-magnitude quake on Oct 8, 2005 that killed more than 73,000 people and left about 3.5 million homeless, mainly in Azad Kashmir.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated several areas in southwestern Balochistan province in September last year. It killed at least 370 people and left 100,000 homeless.