A MAGNITUDE 5.8 earthquake has hit Pakistan, affecting areas near the border between Azad Kashmir and Punjab, with Mirpur and other areas surrounding the Mangla Dam being some of the worst hit.

The earthquake happened at around 4pm local time and officials have said that at least four people have been killed, with another 50 reported injured.

Mukhtar Ali, a former Bradford Councillor who has roots in the Mirpur area, has spoken to friends and family in the region and has said, "There have been casualties as well as damage to infrastructure and road networks, with the Mangla Dam itself suffering significant damage."

"Authorities need to take a hold of things in order to prevent flooding."

Mr. Ali described the village of Jatlan, which is nearly 14 miles south of Mirpur, as being one of the worst affected areas where there is also a "high risk of flooding."

"A lot of people in the Mirpur district are poor, the houses have a very weak structure and the roads are not the best anyway. There are not enough measures in place to deal with this earthquake", Mr. Ali continued, before saying, "My heart goes out to all the people who are affected."

There was previously an earthquake in Azad Kashmir in 2005, leading to many casualties.