PTI March: Islamabad-KP Mountain Route Shut as Capital Sealed
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Authorities have stepped up security measures around Islamabad ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned September 27 long march, closing an alternative mountain route linking the federal capital with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and placing containers at key entry points.
Shah Allah Ditta route connecting Islamabad through the Margalla Hills towards Haripur has been closed as part of preparations to prevent protesters from using alternative approaches to the capital.
Police are also planning deployments on trails descending from the Margalla Hills amid concerns that protesters could attempt to use mountain paths after major highways were blocked.
The latest restrictions add to extensive road closures already affecting travel between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Islamabad.
M1, M14 and GT Road Already Blocked
Major conventional routes towards Islamabad were closed earlier this week.
The M1 Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway has been shut between Islamabad Toll Plaza and Chhachh Interchange, while multiple interchanges — including Tarnol/Fateh Jang, Sangjani/AWT, Brahma Bahtar, Burhan and the Hazara Motorway connection — were also closed.
The M14 Islamabad-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway was similarly closed from Hakla to Kundal, while the N5/GT Road was blocked at Attock Khurd.
The Express Tribune independently reported that a National Highways and Motorway Police travel advisory confirmed multiple closures and restrictions on highways and entry points leading towards Islamabad, officially citing a “law-and-order situation.”
A fact-check published on September 24 also found that the M1 and GT Road remained closed despite a government claim that all 125 routes into Islamabad were open.
Containers Positioned Across Islamabad
Security preparations are also visible inside and around the federal capital.
containers have been positioned at multiple locations, while authorities are strengthening arrangements at Islamabad’s entry points.
Earlier preparations included decisions to reinforce containers with sandbags and establish defensive police positions at key approaches to the city.
Security arrangements extend well beyond Islamabad.
More than 43,000 police personnel were assigned across Rawalpindi Division for long-march security duties, according to Express News. Rangers have also been sought to support police, with personnel positioned in Attock, Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum and Chakwal.
The Express Tribune reported separately on Friday that nearly 150 PTI leaders and activists had been detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order across Rawalpindi Division.
PTI Maintains September 27 Mobilisation
PTI has announced plans to mobilise supporters towards Islamabad on September 27, with the release of imprisoned party founder Imran Khan among its central demands.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has previously said the march would proceed and that he would lead the mobilisation from Peshawar.
However, discussions have continued within PTI over the precise strategy.
Reporting on September 22 indicated that party leaders considered initially staging sit-ins near the Punjab-KP boundary before moving towards Islamabad later, while some members favoured proceeding directly towards the capital on September 27.
Dawn reported Friday that differences remained over the march strategy. One PTI leader suggested postponement could be considered if certain demands were accepted, while a party spokesperson insisted no postponement proposal was formally under discussion and that only Imran Khan could make such a decision.
The march should therefore still be treated as scheduled for September 27 unless PTI formally announces a change.
Travel Disruption Likely to Continue
The security measures are already affecting ordinary passenger and freight traffic.
The closure of the M1, M14, GT Road and additional approaches means travellers between Islamabad and parts of KP face substantial disruption. The latest closure of the mountain connection further reduces alternative routes between the regions.
Punjab authorities have also sought restrictions on mobile and internet services in parts of Attock and Rawalpindi from September 27, according to Geo News.
The situation remains fluid, and road restrictions could change as authorities adjust security plans before Sunday’s mobilisation.
For motorists, the safest approach is to check the latest National Highways and Motorway Police and Islamabad Traffic Police advisories before travelling towards Islamabad, Rawalpindi or routes connecting the capital with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
