PESHAWAR: The ongoing protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which entered their fourth day on Monday, have caused significant hardships for the local residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Many members of the public continue to criticise the ineffective protest rallies.
During these demonstrations, PTI workers and provincial leaders blocked traffic by erecting barriers on major entry and exit routes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leading to severe difficulties for commuters. Under the direction of the district president, protesters closed the Attock Bridge in Khairabad, Nowshera, to all traffic, severely affecting travel between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.
Additional road closures included the route from DI Khan to Bhakkar, the Lakki Marwat-Mianwali route, the Abbottabad-Havelian Interchange on the Hazara Motorway, and the Kohat-Pindi Road at Khushal. Vehicles travelling from Swat, Peshawar, and Mardan are being redirected to the motorway via Ghazi. Long queues have formed on Tarbela Road and in Ghazi Bazaar, leaving passengers stranded for hours. This situation is particularly challenging for ambulances, students, workers, and daily commuters, who are experiencing significant hardships.
With no alternative routes available, the traffic system in Ghazi Tehsil is under immense pressure, which is also impacting the local population. In Islamabad, traffic has been halted on Mianwali Peak Road, near York Toll Plaza, and at the CPEC Interchange. Because of the closure of the Tarbela-Ghazi Motorway at the Swabi Interchange, all traffic pressure has shifted to Tarbela Road.
