• Motorway police say restoration work underway on M-14 between Hakla and Kundal
• IHC judge remarks Islamabad can’t be shut down from inside or outside, issues notices to authorities
ISLAMABAD: The National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) announced on Monday that the M-1 Motorway between Islamabad and Peshawar has been reopened to all types of traffic in both directions. This decision comes after the PTI postponed its Sept 27 march to the federal capital.
The M-1, parts of the M-14, and the GT Road (N-5) were placed under indefinite closures last week amid government pushback against the PTI’s protest march to Islamabad. Organised to demand the release of jailed party founder Imran Khan, the demonstration was initially set for Sept 27 but has now been rescheduled for Oct 4.
According to a Motorway police spokesperson, restoration work remains underway on the loop connecting the M-1 Motorway with the Hazara Motorway as well as on the M-14 Motorway between Hakla and Kundal.
Motorists travelling from Islamabad to Abbottabad via the M-1 can exit at the Burhan Interchange, travel along the GT Road (N-5) through Hasan Abdal, and rejoin the Hazara Expressway at the Jhuri Kas Interchange, the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, the GT Road (N-5) between Islamabad and Peshawar has been fully reopened to all traffic. In a subsequent statement, the spokesperson confirmed that the M-14 has also reopened from Hakla to Kot Belian and from Isa Khel to Yarik, though restoration work continues on the section between Kot Belian and Isa Khel.
These updates follow the motorway police’s Sept 22 directives, which had indefinitely closed the M-1 in both directions between the Islamabad Toll Plaza and Chhachh Interchange, the M-14 between Hakla and Kundal, and the GT Road at Attock Khurd.
Security arrangements were also intensified in Attock, with containers and sandbags placed at key bridges and entry points ahead of the planned PTI protest.
IHC issues notices
In a related development on Monday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to respondents regarding a petition challenging the closure of the M-1 during the PTI’s planned march.
Presiding over the case, Justice Muhammad Asif remarked that Islamabad could not be shut down from either the inside or the outside.
The petition was filed by Supreme Court advocate Mian Shafqat Jan, who stated that he was unable to reach the Peshawar High Court to pursue a legal case due to the motorway closures. During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that an existing court ruling explicitly addresses the sealing of Islamabad, emphasising that any restriction on public movement required a valid legal justification.
The counsel questioned how could ambulances, funeral processions, and students be restricted from travelling.
He maintained that the petition sought the strict implementation of past judicial decisions, ensuring that the same legal standards for movement apply equally to ordinary citizens and the government.
Referencing a recent IHC judgement on the PTI’s planned protest, the counsel argued that constitutional protections, including freedom of movement and access to courts, must be upheld.
The petition sought directives to reopen blocked routes for the unhindered movement of lawyers, litigants, witnesses, emergency services, and the general public.
It also challenged the practice of blocking public routes without a formal notification, written order or disclosed reasons.
The court subsequently issued notices to the respondents, sought their formal replies and adjourned the hearing.
The petition names different respondents, including the federal government through the interior and information secretaries, the NH&MP, Islamabad police, the National Highway Authority, the Islamabad Capital Territory administration and the Punjab government.
Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2026
