PTI Long March Islamabad: Rawalpindi Roads, M-1, GT Road Closures & Security Update

Islamabad and Rawalpindi have entered a heightened security phase ahead of the planned September 27 political activity, with authorities tightening movement on several routes, placing containers at strategic locations and increasing the deployment of law-enforcement personnel.

While local movement inside the twin cities was reported to be continuing on the morning of September 24, several important routes connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been restricted. The measures have also affected educational institutions, with some campuses shifting classes online.

Section 144 Imposed in Islamabad and Punjab

Section 144 has been imposed in Islamabad amid the prevailing security situation, restricting gatherings in the federal capital. Similar restrictions have also been enforced across Punjab.

Authorities have urged residents to cooperate with law-enforcement personnel and follow instructions at checkpoints and restricted locations.

Islamabad Roads Remain Open in Latest Local Update

According to the latest situation update shared early Thursday, major roads within Islamabad and Rawalpindi were open, while Metrobus services in the twin cities were also reported operational.

The situation, however, is different on routes connecting the twin cities with KP, where several highways and motorways have been closed.

This means commuters travelling within Islamabad and Rawalpindi may face a different situation from those planning longer journeys towards Attock, KP or northern areas.

Traffic Advisory – Road Closures from 23 Sep 2026, 2300 hrs

M-1 (Peshawar Motorway), M-14 (CPEC), Hazara Motorway (E-35), GT Road (N-5), and connecting roads (Rawalpindi–Kohat, Abbottabad–Hassanabdal) are being closed from various points. Please plan travel accordingly and use… pic.twitter.com/3j5vYQddVr

— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) September 23, 2026

Containers Placed at Key Islamabad Entry Points

Authorities have positioned a large number of shipping containers at strategic locations across Islamabad and on roads leading towards the capital.

Reports indicate that containers have been placed around major roads and entry points, including areas around Faizabad, Islamabad Expressway, Murree Road, Srinagar Highway, Ninth Avenue, Margalla Road, Jinnah Avenue, I.J.P. Road and other important corridors.

The Red Zone has also been secured with containers as part of the wider security arrangements.

M-1 Motorway Closed Towards KP

The M-1 Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway has been closed at designated points, affecting traffic travelling between Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the traffic advisory, the closure is in place in both directions between the Islamabad Toll Plaza and Chachh Interchange and will continue until further notice.

Travellers planning to use the M-1 have therefore been advised to check the latest traffic position before starting their journey.

M-14 and Hazara Motorway Also Restricted

The restrictions extend beyond the M-1.

The M-14 CPEC Motorway has been closed between Hakla and Kundal, while the E-35 Hazara Motorway has also been blocked at the Hazara Interlink near Burhan.

These closures affect important routes connecting Punjab and Islamabad with areas of KP and Hazara.

GT Road Closed at Attock Khurd

The N-5 GT Road has also been closed at Attock Khurd.

Other affected routes include the Rawalpindi-Kohat Road at Khushal Garh and the Abbottabad-Hassanabdal Road at Jhari Kas Checkpost. The restrictions took effect from 11pm on September 23 and are to remain until further notice, according to the Islamabad Traffic Police advisory.

Rawalpindi Security Plan Includes More Than 10,000 Police Personnel

Rawalpindi is also facing an extensive security deployment.

According to details reported from the Punjab government’s security planning, 10,612 police personnel are expected to be deployed across Rawalpindi district.

The deployment includes personnel at entry points, blocking points, police pickets and roads connecting Rawalpindi with Islamabad.

The plan includes:

• 3,100 personnel at 26 entry points
• 1,800 personnel at 73 blocking points
• 3,738 personnel at 152 police pickets
• 300 personnel on 50 roads connecting the twin cities

These figures are from the reported security plan and may change as the situation develops.

Rangers Requested for Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali

The Punjab government has requested Rangers deployment in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali to assist provincial police with maintaining law and order.

For Rawalpindi, the request includes three Rangers companies, with one intended for Rawalpindi city and two for Taxila.

Around 30,000 Personnel Being Deployed in Attock

Attock has become another major security point because of its location on important routes between KP, northern Punjab and the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region.

Reports indicate that around 30,000 police personnel are being deployed in the district as part of the security arrangements. Containers and other barriers have also been placed around important crossings, including Attock Bridge and Haroon Bridge.

Educational Institutions Shift Some Classes Online

The security situation has also affected educational activities.

HITEC University Taxila and the Wah and Attock campuses of COMSATS University Islamabad have announced online classes from September 24 until further notice, according to reports based on notices issued by the institutions.

Some educational institutions in Hazro have also reportedly been temporarily closed, while schools in certain areas are being used to accommodate personnel involved in security duties.

It is important to note that there has not been a blanket announcement covering every educational institution in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, so students should follow their own institution’s latest notice.

Islamabad Security Deployment Exceeds 22,000 Personnel

Islamabad is also witnessing a significant increase in security deployment.

Reports indicate that more than 22,000 security personnel have been deployed across the capital, including police and personnel from other law-enforcement agencies. Security checks have also been increased at entry points and sensitive locations.

Security Measures Also Affect Surrounding Cities

The security plan extends beyond the twin cities. Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali are among the districts included in the wider arrangements, while additional personnel and containers have been allocated to several locations.

In Rawalpindi Division, the reported deployment also includes 1,400 personnel in Jhelum, 224 in Murree and 352 in Chakwal, alongside the Rawalpindi deployment.

Lahore and Punjab-Wide Security Arrangements

Security preparations are not limited to Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Punjab authorities have prepared a wider deployment plan in connection with the expected political activity.

For the story, however, I would not publish a specific Lahore force number unless we have the actual Lahore notification, because the currently verified reports I found give clear figures for Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Attock but do not establish a separate Lahore figure with the same level of certainty.

This is important for your news site because it avoids putting an unsupported number into the headline or article.

Islamabad Rawalpindi Traffic Situation at a Glance

Citizens Advised to Check Routes Before Travelling

With the security situation changing quickly, commuters are advised to check the latest traffic information before leaving home, particularly if travelling towards Attock, KP or northern areas.

People travelling through checkpoints should also keep their identification and driving licence with them and allow additional time for possible security checks, as advised in the situation update shared on September 24.

Situation May Change at Short Notice

The current arrangements are linked to the security preparations ahead of September 27, and road closures, checkpoints, educational arrangements and public transport operations may be revised depending on developments.

For residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the key distinction is that local roads were reported open in the latest morning update, while several major routes connecting the region with KP remain closed.