Lawyer challenges Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway closure in IHC

Advocate Mian Shafqat Jan petitioned the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday, challenging the government's decision to close the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1). Jan, who is a Supreme Court lawyer, was unable to reach the Peshawar High Court (PHC) for a scheduled case due to the motorway's closure. He sought directions from the IHC to reopen the blocked routes for lawyers, litigants, and emergency services.

The government had announced the closure of the motorway earlier in the week, citing preparations to prevent the PTI from marching on Islamabad. The PTI's nationwide protest, originally planned for September 27, has reportedly been deferred. Jan argued that the closure of public routes without written order or disclosed reasons infringed citizens' fundamental rights, and requested judicial intervention.

The IHC had previously ruled that any activity infringing citizens' fundamental rights, including freedom of movement and access to courts, amounted to a violation of the Constitution. Jan urged the high court to declare the closure of roads and highways without notification or written order as illegal and unconstitutional, and directed authorities to ensure the reopening of blocked routes for emergency traffic, lawyers, litigants, witnesses, and other essential services.