ISLAMABAD, Oct 19: Four aftershocks were felt in the region Met department officials said on Wednesday. The most severe aftershock came at 7.34am, which had a magnitude of 5.8 and was followed by another strong tremor measuring 5.4 on Richter scale some 42 minutes later at 8.16am.

This prompted concerns among the general public particularly the parents, who rushed to pick up their children from schools.

These shocks had their epicentre some 200 kms east of Peshawar in Hazara Division.

The two other shocks of comparatively lesser intensity were felt at 2.20am, which measured 5.3 on the Richter scale, and 5.47pm in the evening, which was almost of the same magnitude.

Met officials say there is nothing to panic and the aftershocks are natural after the massive quake like the one that hit northern parts of the country on Oct 8.

They said these shocks may continue for 2-3 weeks in areas away from the epicentre, whereas areas nearby the epicentre would experience them for a much longer time— upto 4-6 weeks.

The officials said the aftershocks did not pose any threat to the buildings except for those already damaged.