Motorway Police Announce Closure of M-1 and Other Key Routes

Islamabad Police and the National Highways and Motorway Police have announced that the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway M-1 will close to all traffic from 11 p.m. on September 23 until further notice, as authorities prepare for a possible PTI sit-in in the federal capital. Travellers from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and surrounding districts have been asked to avoid the M-1 and postpone unnecessary journeys.

The Motorway Police spokesperson said the M-1 will remain closed in both directions from the Islamabad Toll Plaza to the Chachh Interchange, ARY News reported. The Tarnol, Sangjani, Brahma Bahter and Burhan interchanges will also remain closed from the evening of September 23, along with the Hazara Motorway, Ghazi and Chachh interchanges.

ARY News further reported that the M-14 motorway from Hakla to Kundal will be closed to all traffic in both directions, with closures at the Pindi Gheb, Khapra, Tarap, Daud Khel, Kot Balian, Isa Khel and Kundal interchanges. The N-5 Grand Trunk Road will be closed at Attock Khurd. ProPakistani, citing Islamabad Police, said the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway M-2 would remain open to all traffic.

The closures follow a warning from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who said in Lahore that the government would strictly enforce the law and would not allow the capital or the country to be brought to a standstill. He urged the PTI leadership, which is currently in Islamabad, to reconsider its approach and said several party leaders did not want sit-in politics. Naqvi said that if the PTI proceeded with a sit-in, the government would implement the Islamabad High Court's orders. He also said the party founder had been at hospital the previous night and had undergone a medical check-up, and that the government would proceed according to law, not according to the wishes of PTI members.

Passengers have been advised to plan their journeys according to the traffic advisory and follow instructions from traffic police.