Major Motorways and Highways Closing From Tonight: Routes and Travel Details

Motorists travelling between Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and surrounding regions should prepare for major disruption as authorities have announced closures on several important motorways and highways from 11:00 pm on September 23, 2026.

The affected routes include sections of the M-1, M-14, E-35 Hazara Motorway and N-5 GT Road, along with connecting roads.

The restrictions will remain in place until further notice, making it important for travellers to check the latest official traffic situation before starting their journeys.

Which Motorways and Highways Are Closing?

According to the traffic advisory, the following routes will be affected:

The closures are scheduled to begin at 11 pm on Wednesday, September 23, and no reopening time has yet been announced.

M-1 Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway

One of the most significant restrictions affects the M-1, which provides the main motorway connection between Islamabad and Peshawar.

Separate information issued by the National Highways and Motorway Police indicated that the M-1 would be closed to traffic in both directions between the Islamabad Toll Plaza and Chachh Interchange.

Affected interchanges include locations serving Fateh Jang/Tarnol, Sangjani/AWT, Brahma Bahtar, Burhan, the Hazara Motorway connection, Ghazi and Chachh.

Travellers moving between Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should therefore check current conditions before departure rather than assuming their normal motorway route will be available.

M-14 CPEC Motorway Also Affected

The M-14, connecting the Islamabad region with Dera Ismail Khan and forming an important part of the western road network associated with CPEC, is also affected.

Motorway Police information indicated closures between Hakla and Kundal.

Interchanges along the affected section include Fateh Jang, Pindi Gheb, Kharpa, Tarap, Daud Khel, Kot Belian, Isa Khel and Kundal.

This could significantly affect motorists travelling between Islamabad and western parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Hazara Motorway E-35

The E-35 Hazara Motorway is another important route included in the traffic restrictions.

According to the Islamabad Traffic Police advisory, the motorway will be closed from the Hazara Interlink near Burhan Interchange.

The motorway provides an important connection towards Abbottabad and the Hazara region, meaning travellers heading north should verify available routes before leaving.

GT Road N-5 Closure at Attock Khurd

The restrictions are not limited to motorways.

The N-5 GT Road will also be closed at Attock Khurd, affecting another major road connection between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This is particularly important because travellers sometimes use GT Road as an alternative when motorway traffic is disrupted.

With restrictions affecting both motorway and highway connections around Attock, motorists should not automatically assume that switching from M-1 to N-5 will provide an unrestricted alternative.

Rawalpindi-Kohat and Abbottabad-Hassanabdal Roads

Two additional connecting routes are also included in the traffic plan.

The Rawalpindi-Kohat Road will be closed from Khushal Garh, while the Abbottabad-Hassanabdal Road will face restrictions from Jhari Kas Checkpost.

These closures further reduce travel options between the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Is the M-2 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway Closed?

For travellers coming from Lahore, an important distinction needs to be made.

The M-2 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway is not included in the blanket closure announcement covering the M-1, M-14 and other routes listed above.

An earlier Islamabad Police advisory specifically stated that the M-2 between Lahore and Islamabad would remain open to traffic.

However, traffic conditions can change quickly during security operations. Travellers should therefore check the latest Motorway Police advisory immediately before departure.

Why Are the Roads Being Closed?

The closures come amid heightened security arrangements ahead of planned political demonstrations and marches towards Islamabad.

Authorities have also increased security around major entry points into the federal capital and surrounding areas.

The government says such measures are intended to maintain law and order and protect the public, while political groups planning demonstrations have announced their own political demands.

For travellers, the practical consequence is that major transport corridors could remain unavailable for an unspecified period.

What Should Travellers Do?

Anyone planning to travel through the affected areas should check the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) and Islamabad Traffic Police advisories before departure.

Motorists should also:

• Avoid non-essential travel through affected routes where possible.
• Allow additional travel time because alternative roads may become congested.
• Do not rely solely on Google Maps or other navigation applications for temporary security-related closures.
• Confirm road conditions shortly before departure.
• Keep sufficient fuel if travelling through alternative routes.
• Follow police instructions at checkpoints and diversions.

Travellers using buses or other public transport should also confirm their departure with the relevant operator because motorway restrictions can affect intercity schedules.

When Will the Roads Reopen?

Authorities have not announced a specific reopening time.

The restrictions have been described as remaining in effect until further notice, meaning reopening will depend on the security and traffic situation.

Motorists planning travel over the next several days should therefore continue checking official updates instead of assuming the roads will reopen the following morning.