There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The US Geological Survey says the 5.8-magnitude temblor originated on Monday morning in the quake-prone Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan. It says it struck at a depth of about 88 miles (141 kilometres).

Pakistani meteorological official Qamaruz Zaman says quakes striking so far below the ground are 'usually not that destructive'.

In October, an 6.4-magnitude earthquake in south-west Pakistan killed more than 200 people and left thousands homeless. -- AP