The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) has announced that the M-1, M-14, and E-35 Hazara Motorway will reopen for traffic starting at 6:00 am on Sunday, September 27, 2026. According to the spokesperson, traffic will resume on all major motorway routes, including the M-1, M-14 and E-35.
The M-1 Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway, M-14 Islamabad-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway and E-35 Hazara Motorway will all reopen, allowing motorists to resume normal travel after 6:00 am. The major highways had been closed as part of security arrangements ahead of the PTI protest and long march scheduled in Islamabad for September 27.
On September 23, Islamabad authorities announced the closure of several major routes, including the M-1, M-14, Hazara Motorway and sections of the GT Road, from 11:00 pm until further notice. Authorities cited the prevailing law and order situation as the reason for the closures.
It is worth mentioning here that the major highways had been closed as part of security arrangements ahead of the PTI protest and long march scheduled in Islamabad for September 27. However, the PTI administration postponed the planned protest march until October 04, and now the administration is starting to reopen highways.
On September 23, Islamabad authorities announced the closure of several major routes, including the M-1, M-14, Hazara Motorway and sections of the GT Road, from 11:00 pm until further notice. Authorities cited the prevailing law and order situation as the reason for the closures.
Ahead of a protest planned by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Sunday, the administration has blocked key entry points using double-stacked shipping containers, while police have deployed around 22,000 personnel for security duties.
According to police officials, major highways, entry points and key intersections in Islamabad have been sealed with barriers, causing severe traffic disruptions and restricting the capital’s links with surrounding areas. Movement between Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also been affected.
On Thursday afternoon, the toll plaza on the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway on the outskirts of the capital was completely closed, with containers and barriers placed across the main highway. Citizens complained of traffic jams and difficulties in their daily commute.
Government measures have also intensified ahead of the proposed Sunday protest. Imran Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, were taken into custody under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance. Official orders for their 30-day preventive detention cite allegations that they were mobilising supporters through social media and attempting to incite sentiment against state institutions.