Islamabad and Rawalpindi travellers may face major transport disruptions on Wednesday (today) night as authorities prepare to close several motorways and important roads.
Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has issued a fresh traffic advisory for September 23, 2026. Several major routes will close from 11:00 pm tonight and will remain closed until further notice.
Some private transport service providers have also reportedly started cancelling evening journeys because of the expected road closures. A local travel update circulating online claims that bus terminals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi may stop operations after 8:00 pm. However, this terminal closure timing has not been confirmed yet.
Which routes will be closed?
- M-1 Peshawar Motorway will be closed from Haroon Bridge
- M-14 CPEC route will also close from Kani Bridge near Tarap Interchange
- E-35 Hazara Motorway from Hazara Interlink near Burhan Interchange
- N-5 GT Road from Attock Khurd
- Rawalpindi-Kohat Road from Khushal Garh
- Abbottabad-Hassanabdal Road from Jhari Kas Checkpost
These restrictions will start at 11:00 pm on September 23 and continue until authorities issue further instructions.
Earlier reports had stated that the M-2 Islamabad-Lahore Motorway would remain open to all traffic. A circulating travel update later claimed that the M-2 would close to heavy transport vehicles after 11:00 pm while remaining open for light vehicles.
Travellers advised to plan ahead
Authorities have advised people travelling from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and nearby areas to avoid affected routes and avoid travelling.
The restrictions come ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned march towards Islamabad on September 27. Authorities have increased security and placed containers at several important entry points around the capital.
Passengers planning to travel by bus or motorway tonight should check directly with their transport operator before leaving for the terminal, as services may change at short notice.
