ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s key motorways, M1 and M2, connecting Islamabad to Peshawar and Lahore, were closed at multiple points on Thursday ahead of a mass protest called by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The closures have caused significant travel disruptions, stranding thousands of commuters and leaving roads across the region heavily congested.
The M1 motorway, which links Islamabad to Peshawar, has been completely shut down at four critical points: GT Road, Attock Khurd, Hassanabdal, and Chashma Point. The CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) has also been sealed at various locations, compounding the travel challenges. Both entry and exit points in the affected areas have been blocked, leaving travelers struggling to find alternate routes.
Containers and barricades have been strategically placed at motorway entry points, with a heavy presence of police and paramilitary forces deployed to enforce the closures and maintain order.
Islamabad Road Closures Update
In addition to the motorways, key roads leading into Islamabad’s Red Zone and D-Chowk have also been sealed, including Serena Hotel, Jinnah Avenue, Nadra Square, Marriott Hotel, and Zero Point. Entry points connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi, such as Srinagar Highway, Faizabad Chowk, Sanjgani Toll Plaza, Margalla Road, and 9th Avenue, have similarly been blocked.
Other major routes, including Stadium Road, 6th Road, Khanapul, and Naaz Cinema Road, which link Rawalpindi with Islamabad, are also sealed, further contributing to the gridlock. Heavy machinery, including double-layered containers, has been stationed at key locations, such as Faizabad and the Islamabad Expressway, in an effort to fully restrict traffic flow.
Security measures have been ramped up across Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with around 4,000 officers and security personnel deployed to prevent PTI workers and supporters from reaching the protest site at D-Chowk in Islamabad.
The protest, led by PTI founder Imran Khan, is being held in support of the judiciary. The government has imposed stringent security measures to deter protesters from entering the capital’s high-security areas. The closure of motorways and key roads is part of a broader strategy to maintain law and order during what is expected to be a large-scale demonstration.
Commuters have expressed frustration at the lack of alternative routes and the massive delays caused by the closures. Many travelers have been forced to abandon their plans, while others remain stuck in traffic for hours.
The government’s efforts to prevent PTI’s supporters from gathering in large numbers appear to be in full swing, with authorities pledging to ensure public safety during the unfolding situation.
