Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has issued special instructions to the National Highway Authority (NHA) to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow on national highways as heavy snowfall continues in Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to an official announcement, the minister emphasised that maintaining traffic movement is the top priority during the winter season and directed that national highways must be kept open at all times despite adverse weather conditions.
He instructed NHA field staff to remain on high alert and monitor the situation around the clock in snowfall-affected areas.
The minister also urged the authorities to take immediate measures to address any road blockages and ensure timely clearance of snow to facilitate safe travel for commuters. He advised citizens to contact the NHA without delay in case of road closures or other difficulties.
The minister added that NHA helplines are operational to provide immediate assistance and resolve public complaints, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring safe and smooth travel during the harsh winter conditions.
Widespread rain and snowfall continue to affect several parts of country
Meanwhile, widespread rain and snowfall continue to affect several parts of the country, bringing cold weather, traffic disruptions, and power outages. In Punjab, heavy rain has been reported in Lahore and surrounding areas. The provincial capital experienced rain in Abbot Road, Laxmi, Gowalmandi, Johar Town, Jail Road, Shadman, Awan Sanayi, Tijarat Road, Qurtaba Chowk, Township, Bagrdian, and Green Town. Strong winds accompanied the showers, causing cloudy conditions across the city.
According to Central Region Spokesperson, light rain and drizzle were also reported on major motorways, including the Lahore-Islamabad M2, Pindi Bhattian-Multan M4, M5 Multan-Rahim Yar Khan, and Lahore-Sialkot M11. Rainfall was recorded along the Central Zone National Highway in Manga Mandi, Pattoki, Okara, Mian Channu, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Ahmadpur Sharqia, and Rahim Yar Khan. Drivers have been advised to reduce speed, maintain safe distances, keep lights on, and drive carefully on wet roads.
In Balochistan, rain continues in several areas, with snowfall reported in Ziarat, Kan Mehtarzai, Muslim Bagh, Toba Kakri, and Toba Achakzai. The cold wave has intensified, with temperatures dropping below freezing; Quetta recorded -1°C, while -3°C was reported in Kodak Top and Khawaja Imran. The NHA and PDMA are actively clearing snow from highways in northern areas.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, cloudy weather prevails, with light snowfall reported in higher mountainous areas, while colder conditions are felt in lower regions. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar and surrounding areas witnessed cloudy conditions with intermittent rainfall, causing temperatures to drop and the weather to become colder.
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