ISLAMABAD: Authorities have issued an important traffic advisory, announcing the closure of the Peshawar Motorway (M-1) to all types of traffic from 11pm on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, until further notice.
Motorists travelling from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other districts have been advised to avoid travelling on the M-1 and postpone unnecessary journeys until further notice.
Meanwhile, the M-2 Motorway between Lahore and Islamabad will remain open to all types of traffic, according to the advisory.
Passengers and motorists have been urged to plan their journeys in accordance with the traffic advisory and strictly follow the instructions issued by traffic police.
Authorities have advised commuters to remain updated on traffic conditions before setting out and to use alternative routes where necessary.
M-1 at Karnal Sher Khan, M-16 Swat Motorway closed to traffic
Earlier, 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.
