IHC Moved Against Closure of Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway

Advocate Mian Shafqat Jan filed a petition with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to reopen the blocked Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) for lawyers, litigants, emergency services, and other essential traffic. Jan was unable to reach the Peshawar High Court (PHC) for a scheduled hearing on September 24 due to the closure of the M-1 at the Attock Bridge, where he found the route obstructed without a written order or disclosed reason.

The petitioner argued that the closure of public routes without proper notification and justification is unconstitutional and violates citizens' constitutional rights, particularly freedom of movement and access to courts. Jan cited an IHC judgment recognizing such constitutional rights and requested the IHC to declare the closures illegal and unconstitutional, mandating the authorities to reopen the blocked routes for emergency vehicles, lawyers, litigants, witnesses, sick individuals, and funeral processions.

The National Highways and Motorway Police reported that the entire stretch of the M-1 between Islamabad Toll Plaza and Chhachh Interchange, as well as sections of the M-14 and GT Road at Attock Khurd, had been closed in both directions.