M-1 at Karnal Sher Khan, M-16 Swat Motorway closed to traffic

The M-1 motorway linking Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Islamabad has been closed to traffic at the Karnal Sher Khan Interchange amid heightened security measures ahead of long marches by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-i-Islami.

Authorities said the M-16 Swat Expressway had also been closed in view of the security situation and planned protests by political parties.

Security forces and the National Highways and Motorway Police are diverting traffic to alternative routes. Motorists have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and check the latest motorway police advisory before setting out.

The PTI has announced a march towards Islamabad on Sept 27 to press for its demands. Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami’s long march against the petroleum levy and inflation, which is being organised from Karachi, will travel by train to Multan before continuing to Islamabad by road.

The federal government has stepped up security arrangements in the capital to prevent the two long marches and maintain law and order. Section 144 remains in force in Islamabad, with a ban on public gatherings, processions and rallies.

Meanwhile, 2,000 Sindh police personnel arrived in Islamabad by train on Monday. The personnel will be stationed at Police Lines, Faisal Mosque and the Diplomatic Enclave.

More than 22,000 personnel will be deployed in Islamabad under the supervision of eight deputy inspectors general, while around 30,000 personnel will perform security duties at Attock, the point connecting Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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