Islamabad, November 22, 2024–The National Highways and Motorways Police (NH&MP) have announced the closure of several motorway sections starting November 22, citing maintenance work. The announcement comes as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) plans a large-scale protest rally in Islamabad on November 24. The rally aims to demand the release of the party founder and workers and the reversal of recently approved constitutional amendments.
A public notice issued by the NH&MP stated, “The general public is hereby informed that due to road maintenance, motorways will remain closed starting from 8:00 PM on November 22, 2024.” The affected routes include:
- M-1: Islamabad to Peshawar
- M-2: Islamabad to Lahore
- M-3: Lahore to Abdul Hakeem
- M-4: Pindi Bhattian to Multan
- M-14: Hakla to Yarik
- M-11: Lahore to Sialkot
The closures will begin at 8:00 PM on Friday and continue until further notice. Travelers are advised to avoid unnecessary travel to prevent inconvenience.
Meanwhile, a notification issued by the Islamabad authorities states that all public transport terminals will remain closed starting November 22 at 8:00 PM. Terminal operators have been directed to keep their entry points sealed until further notice.
On the other hand, In anticipation of the rally, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province from November 23 to 25. A notification from the Home Department outlines a complete ban on protests and rallies for three days.
According to the Home Department spokesperson, the move aims to prevent potential terrorist attacks amidst prevailing security threats. “The terrorists may target any protest or rally, given the current security situation,” the spokesperson warned.
The closures and restrictions reflect heightened tensions as PTI prepares to “flex its muscles” in Islamabad, with implications for both public safety and political stability.
