Major routes to Islamabad closed ahead of PTI protest
Major highways and motorways leading to Islamabad have been closed or restricted at several points ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march planned for September 27, disrupting interprovincial and intercity movement of passenger and goods transport and affecting key links between the federal capital and surrounding regions.
The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) travel advisory on Thursday listed multiple road closures and restrictions ahead of the opposition party’s planned long march.
The advisory, however, cited the reason for the closures and restrictions as a “law-and-order situation”.
A police officer diverts traffic on the Islamabad–Peshawar Motorway blocked with trucks placed by authorities in Islamabad on September 24, 2026 ahead of opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest demanding the release of Imran Khan. Photo: AFP
It further stated that the M-1 motorway had been closed in both directions between Swabi and the Islamabad Toll Plaza, with southbound traffic diverted from the Swabi Interchange. The E-35 Hazara Motorway was also closed in both directions between Jharikas and Burhan due to the “law-and-order situation”.
Similarly, the advisory noted that the entire Hakla-to-Yarik stretch of the M-14 was affected by law-and-order restrictions in both directions.
The advisory also cited restrictions on the M-2 North, including the closure of the Islamabad-bound route for heavy transport vehicles between Kot Momin and Islamabad.
The restrictions also affected the N-5 Grand Trunk Road. At Attock Khurd, traffic restrictions had been imposed in both directions, with diversions listed through HPT, Deser Star and Suzuki Motors.
Read: Rangers deployed in Islamabad, Punjab districts to maintain law and order
The latest NHMP advisory, updated at different times on Thursday, also listed a number of separate roadwork-related lane closures on the M-2, M-3 and M-4.
Several major routes elsewhere in Punjab and the country, including sections of the M-5 and the southern N-5, remained open, with road and weather conditions reported as clear.
The closures come as PTI prepares for its September 27 march towards Islamabad, which the party says aims to seek the release of its founder, Imran Khan.
The Express Tribune has learnt that Islamabad authorities have also imposed restrictions on public gatherings, while major entry routes to the city have been sealed at several points.
The measures have caused disruption for commuters in the Hazara, Taxila, Haripur, Attock and Rawalpindi-Islamabad regions. Reports from Haripur said routes towards Taxila, Hassan Abdal, Attock, Rawalpindi and Islamabad had been blocked with containers, while traffic queues were reported around Jharikas and Hassan Abdal.
A separate report said the main road from Haripur through Hattar towards Taxila had also been blocked with containers. Traffic approaching Taxila and Rawalpindi from the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Gate No. 1 side was also reportedly blocked.
So far, the authorities have cited security and law-and-order concerns for the restrictions, while PTI has characterised the measures as an attempt to prevent its supporters from reaching Islamabad.
With the protest still two days away, the continuing closure of major transport corridors has already disrupted movement between Islamabad and several parts of K-P and northern Punjab. Commuters have been advised to check official travel advisories before undertaking journeys.
A general view shows the Islamabad–Peshawar Motorway blocked with trucks placed by authorities in Islamabad on September 24, 2026, ahead of opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Photo: AFP
Earlier today, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry rejected a reporter’s reference to road closures in Islamabad, saying the WhatsApp status being cited was old. “No road was closed,” he said, adding that all 125 routes into Islamabad were open until noon.
The minister also said that whenever security measures were required, both the federal and provincial governments would follow court orders and the law “in letter and spirit” to protect lives and property.
“Attackers cannot be allowed to attack here,” he said.
The Punjab government also sought additional security deployments in areas including Rawalpindi and Attock, while officials said the measures were intended to maintain law and order ahead of the expected political activity.
PTI alleges targeting of party leaders ahead of March
The party said that the homes and offices of party leaders were being targeted as part of a wider crackdown ahead of the protest.
In Mandi Bahauddin, the party alleged that police and unidentified plain-clothes personnel raided the residence of PTI district senior vice-president Faisal Imran Gondal and damaged furniture, doors, windows, electric motors, Imran billboards and other property.
PTI also condemned what it described as a raid and vandalism at the hujra of former party leader Murad Saeed. A party statement alleged that unidentified personnel damaged property there and accused the authorities of harassing Saeed and his family.
Read More: Uproar in K-P Assembly over minister ‘abduction’
Separately, PTI leaders in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) reported a series of raids and arrests involving party lawmakers and provincial ministers. The provincial government and PTI have described the actions as an attempt to restrict the party’s political activity ahead of the planned march.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, speaking in Lahore on Wednesday, claimed that four members of Imran’s family and eight PTI MNAs were under arrest, while several provincial ministers remained missing. He alleged that the situation in K-P had effectively become similar to Governor’s Rule despite no formal declaration.
Gohar called for the resolution of disputes through political dialogue.
The allegations could not be independently verified by The Express Tribune.
In today’s press conference, when asked about the footage showing a K-P provincial minister allegedly being picked up or arrested by police, Minister Talal Chaudhry rebuked the provincial government for being unable to protect its own minister.
“If there are dozens of incidents every day, an incident involving a minister or anyone else can happen,” he said.Read More