Islamabad - A powerful earthquake rattled Pakistan's south- western Balochistan province on Wednesday, killing more than 170 people, injuring hundreds more and leaving thousands homeless, officials said.

The US Geological Survey website said a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck 60 kilometres north-east of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, at 5:10 am (2310 GMT). It lasted about 40 seconds.

With the earthquake hitting just before sunrise, people fled their houses in panic. Television footage showed terrified families wrapped in blankets sitting by the roadsides in Quetta.

Islamabad - Severe aftershocks caused panic in Pakistan's south-west where a pre-dawn earthquake killed at least 160 people, media reports said Wednesday.

The strongest aftershock measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale hit the south-western Balochistan province at 5:32 pm (1132 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey.

The epicentre was the same as that of the morning quake, which had a magnitude of 6.4 - some 60 kilometres north-east of the provincial capital Quetta.

In towns in the area, terrified people ran towards open areas, stumbling upon each other and receiving minor injuries, the Urdu-language Geo news channel reported.

The jolts were felt for up to 15 seconds, Aaj TV television said.

Islamabad - Pakistan said Wednesday that it does not intend to seek international help following the deadly earthquake that hit country's south-west Balochistan province, killing dozens of people and leaving thousands homeless.

"According to initial information the situation is localized so far. We can deal with it," Farooq Ahmed Khan, chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority told reporters in Islamabad.

"If someone wants to provide assistance, it would be most welcome. But we do not want to make an appeal at the international level," he added.

Earlier, the European Union offered humanitarian help to Pakistan.

Brussels - The European Union said Wednesday it was ready to provide humanitarian help to Pakistan following an earthquake in the south-west of the country that has killed at least 160 people and has left thousands more homeless.

"I was shocked to hear the news about the earthquake which struck south-western Balochistan earlier today," EU external affairs commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.

"The EU stands ready to assist Pakistan with humanitarian assistance if requested," the commissioner said in a statement.

According to officials in Pakistan, a strong earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale rattled the province of Balochistan during the early hours of the morning, destroying scores of homes.

Islamabad - Pakistan summoned US Ambassador Anne Patterson Wednesday to lodge a protest over recent missile strikes by US drones in the country's tribal region along the border with Afghanistan.

"It was underscored to the ambassador that the government of Pakistan strongly condemns the missile attacks which resulted in the loss of precious lives and property," a statement from the country's Foreign Ministry said.

"It was emphasized that such attacks were a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and should be stopped immediately," it added.

More than 100 people killed and thousands injured when a strong earthquake struck southwestern Pakistan on Wednesday. Hundreds of homes were destroyed by the quake.