Attock Bridge, M-1 Reopen: What Motorists Need to Know

Motorists travelling between Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad have got some relief, as Attock Bridge and the M-1 Motorway have been reopened after several days of closures. According to a source report and other reporting, the move came after the planned PTI march was pushed from September 27 to October 4.

But this is not being described as a full return to normal. The reopening is being treated as temporary and may only last a few days, so drivers should not assume the roads will stay open.

Key routes are moving again

According to a source report at barriers were removed at Attock Khurd on the N-5, allowing GT Road traffic to resume. The same report says the M-1 has also reopened between Islamabad Toll Plaza and Chhachh Interchange.

Other reporting at https://tribune.com.pk/story/2631832/m-1-gt-road-reopen-between-islamabad-peshawar-after-pti-postpones-march says the M-1 between Islamabad and Peshawar was reopened to all traffic in both directions, and the N-5 Grand Trunk Road was restored as well.

This is welcome news for people who had been stuck by long delays, closed entry points and container blocks on major roads linking Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

What was closed before

The road shutdowns had affected more than one route. According to the source reports, sections of the M-1, M-14 and GT Road were restricted ahead of the planned march. Traffic was also diverted at different points, which made travel slower and less certain for both private motorists and transporters.

The closures had hit key movement between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. For many drivers, that meant changing routes at short notice or waiting for barriers to be cleared.

A related DrivePK background report on the city’s road situation is here: Islamabad Roads Reopen: Traffic Flows Freely Again.

Goods transport is still a concern

Even with the main roads reopening, the situation has not fully normalised. According to the source report, goods transport in Rawalpindi and Islamabad is still said to be suspended because of continued restrictions.

That matters for freight operators, warehouse owners, hotel businesses and transport terminals around the twin cities, especially near Faizabad and other busy transport points. If truck movement stays limited, local supply chains and deliveries may continue to face delays.

So while passenger cars may now move more easily, commercial traffic may still face hurdles.

Why the reopening may not last long

The reopening is linked to the postponement of the PTI march, now set for October 4. That means the current relief could be short-lived if security arrangements are put back in place before then.

According to the source report, authorities may again place containers, barriers or diversions on the same routes if the situation changes. The report does not give a final closure schedule, so motorists should stay alert for new advisories.

What drivers should do

Before leaving, motorists should:

• check National Highways and Motorway Police advisories

• confirm the exact route and interchange they plan to use

• allow extra time for checks, diversions or sudden closures

• keep fuel, documents and basic supplies ready

• freight operators should confirm whether goods access in Rawalpindi and Islamabad is open

What happens next

For now, the reopening should make travel easier between Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. But with the march now moved to October 4, the risk of fresh disruption is still there.

Drivers should treat this as a short relief window, not a guarantee of smooth travel for the rest of the week.

For background, read our earlier coverage: Islamabad M-Tag Deadline Extended to January 15: What You Need to Know.

For more updates, visit DrivePK.com