ISLAMABAD: The M-1 motorway between Islamabad and Peshawar has reopened to all traffic in both directions, while the Islamabad-Peshawar section of the Grand Trunk Road (N-5) has also been restored.
The roads were closed on Sept. 23 after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced plans to march on Islamabad on Sept. 27 to demand the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan.
The federal government took several security measures, including road closures, citing concerns over possible violence during the planned protest.
Authorities had closed the M-1 between the Islamabad Toll Plaza and Chachh Interchange. Several interchanges were also shut, including Islamabad Toll Plaza, Fateh Jang, Tarnol, Sangjani, Brahma Bahtar, Burhan, Hazara Motorway, Ghazi and Chachh.
Meanwhile, the M-14 motorway remained closed in both directions between Hakla and Kundal. The closures also affected Hakla, Fateh Jang, Pindi Gheb, Khapra, Tarap, Daud Khel, Kot Belian, Isa Khel and Kundal interchanges.
In addition, the N-5 Grand Trunk Road was closed to traffic at Attock Khurd.
However, PTI later postponed its planned march to Oct. 4. The motorway reopened three days after the party announced the delay.
According to a spokesperson for the National Highways and Motorway Police, restoration work on the Hakla-Kundal section of the M-14 is still under way.
Work is also continuing on the loop connecting the M-1 with the Hazara Motorway.
For now, traffic travelling from Islamabad to Abbottabad can leave the M-1 at Burhan Interchange and use the Grand Trunk Road to reach Hasan Abdal.
From there, motorists can rejoin the Hazara Expressway through the Jherri Kass Interchange.
The reopening is expected to ease traffic movement between Islamabad, Peshawar and other parts of northern Pakistan following several days of road closures.
