ISLAMABAD: To help travelers avoid difficulties during their journeys, National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) on Friday issued fresh travel advisory saying that several major roads linking Islamabad with KP and Punjab will remain closed or restricted due to security concerns.
According to the latest NNHMP travel advisory, these restrictions affect key routes in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Taxila, Attock and areas connecting the federal capital with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The M-1 Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway is closed in both directions from Swabi to the Islamabad Toll Plaza due to the law and order situation. NHMP said southbound traffic was being diverted from the Swabi Interchange.
On the E-35 Hazara Motorway, restrictions are in place between Jhari Kas and Burhan, while a lane closure near Akhoon Bandi is because of road work. It added that M-14 CPEC Motorway to remain closed from Hakla to Yarik in both directions.
On the N-5 GT Road, a section at Attock Khurd is restricted in both directions. Moreover, NHMP has also listed diversions for northbound traffic at different points and that’s why on the M-2 towards Islamabad, entry of heavy transport vehicles (HTVs) is restricted from Kot Momin to Islamabad. However, light vehicles can use the route subject to other local restrictions.
For Islamabad city routes, according to the NHMP, major roads inside Islamabad are currently open, but security arrangements have been tightened. Travelers should remain prepared for changes around important entry points and security checkpoints, where diversions or additional restrictions may be introduced depending on the situation.
Key areas where motorists should expect possible traffic changes include Faizabad and Murree Road, 26 Number Chungi and Tarnol, Rawat T-Chowk, entry points to the Red Zone, and the Taxila-Attock connecting routes. The NHMP fresh advisory added that containers and security arrangements at different locations may result in sudden diversions or further restrictions.
Similarly, passengers traveling to Islamabad International Airport have been advised to check the latest road situation before leaving and allow plenty of extra travel time. The advice is particularly important for passengers travelling from Rawalpindi, Taxila or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as several routes connecting these areas with Islamabad are currently restricted for traffic.
Moreover, motorists travelers are advised to postpone unnecessary inter-district journeys towards Taxila, Attock and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where possible. They should check the latest NHMP and traffic advisories before starting their journey and allow additional time when using alternative routes.
Motorists should also carry their CNIC and driving license and follow instructions issued by traffic police and security personnel. Travelers have been advised not to attempt to cross roadblocks or use routes that have been closed to traffic.
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