{
  "id": 10618936,
  "title": "IHC seeks replies over motorway closure",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/ihc-seeks-replies-over-motorway-closure",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T18:18:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Express Tribune - Pakistan",
    "slug": "the-express-tribune-pakistan",
    "url": "https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631966/ihc-seeks-replies-over-motorway-closure"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Islamabad High Court (IHC) recently sought responses from key officials regarding the closure of the Peshawar Motorway, which was prompted by government actions to prevent a protest march organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The petition was filed by advocate Mian Shafqat Jan, who appeared before the court to argue that the motorway's closure infringed upon citizens' fundamental rights. The counsel questioned the rationale behind restricting public movement, particularly for ambulances, funeral processions, and students. The IHC has previously held that road closures contravene citizens' rights, and the petitioner sought a declaration that the road closure without notification was unlawful. The PTI had planned a protest for September 27, leading to the closure of roads in Islamabad. However, the party postponed the march to October 4. Two PTI National Assembly members, Adil Bazai and Dawar Kundi, also initiated a petition against their detainment under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro heard the cases along with objections raised by the Registrar's Office. The court instructed the MNAs' lawyer, Murtaza Turi, to address the objections and set a new hearing date after two days. Turi requested an expedited hearing, citing that the MNAs had been detained for 15 days, with eight days already elapsed.",
  "summary": "Petitioner's counsel told court that he had to appear before PHC on September 24, but the route had been closed",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}