ISLAMABAD – Islamabad Police announced closure of M-1 motorway from 11pm on September 23 until further notice, just days before the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest planned in Islamabad on September 27.
M-1 will remain completely closed to all types of traffic, prompting authorities to advise motorists travelling from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other districts to avoid the motorway and postpone unnecessary journeys until further notice. The shutdown is particularly significant because the M-1 is a major transport artery connecting Islamabad-Rawalpindi with Peshawar, while also serving travellers heading towards the northern areas. Its closure is expected to affect commuters, intercity travellers and freight movement using the busy corridor.
اہم ٹریفک ایڈوائزری
پشاور موٹروے (M-1) کل 23 ستمبر 2026 رات 11 بجے تاحکم ثانی ہر قسم کی ٹریفک کے لیے بند رہے گی۔
جڑواں شہروں اسلام آباد و راولپنڈی سمیت دیگر اضلاع سے پشاور موٹروے (M-1) پر سفر کرنے سے گریز کریں اور غیر ضروری سفر مؤخر کریں۔
اس کے برعکس ایم 2 ( لاہور/اسلام آباد)…
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) September 22, 2026
The restriction comes as security preparations intensify ahead of the planned PTI gathering in the federal capital. PTI leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have indicated that party workers could travel towards Islamabad through multiple routes, including the motorway and GT Road.
M-2 to remain open
While the Peshawar-Islamabad motorway is being closed, the traffic advisory says the M-2 Lahore-Islamabad Motorway will remain open to all traffic.
Travellers using routes connected to Islamabad have been advised to check the latest traffic announcements before departure, avoid unnecessary journeys on affected roads and follow instructions issued by traffic police.
Containers deployed on Islamabad routes
Large numbers of shipping containers have reportedly been deployed at strategic points in Islamabad and Attock, particularly on routes that could provide access to the federal capital from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Reported locations include Attock Bridge, T-Chowk Rawat, Faizabad, Serena Chowk, Srinagar Highway and Margalla Avenue, while further barricades and restrictions are being prepared on approaches towards Islamabad.
The growing deployment has once again given rise to the description of Islamabad as ‘Containeristan’, with the steel structures increasingly dominating major roads and entry points.
The containers, normally used for transporting commercial cargo, are being positioned as temporary barriers to regulate movement and restrict access to sensitive locations as the political temperature rises ahead of the planned protest.
For residents, the sight of containers across the capital is becoming a highly visible reminder of the political tensions surrounding the upcoming demonstration, transforming sections of a city traditionally known for its wide, green avenues.
Islamabad roads update today ahead of possible protest – 23 September 2026
