Islamabad Routes Closed Ahead of PTI March

Several key approaches to Islamabad are facing restrictions right now, and that can turn a normal commute into a long wait if you leave without checking first. According to the live NHMP travel advisory updated on 24 September 2026 at 12:04:49, the M-1, E35/Hazara Motorway and M-14 all have active restrictions in different sections. The safest move is simple: confirm the exact road point and direction before you start, because a motorway name does not always mean the whole route is blocked.

Which roads are reportedly affected right now?

The clearest confirmed update is from the live travel advisory at NHMP Travel Advisory. It lists these restrictions:

• M-1 Motorway: closed from Swabi, KM 420, to MTP Islamabad, KM 351, in both northbound and southbound directions because of a law-and-order situation.

• M-1 southbound traffic: diverted from Swabi Interchange, KM 420.

• E35 / Hazara Motorway: closed from Jharikas, KM 18, to Burhan, KM 0, in both directions because of a law-and-order situation.

• E35 / Hazara Motorway: a southbound first-lane closure at Akhoon Di Bandi, KM 49, because of road work.

• M-14 Motorway: a lane closure from Hakla, KM 0, to Yarik, KM 290, in both directions because of a law-and-order situation.

That wording matters. It means some stretches are fully closed, while others are only lane closures. So if you’re heading toward Islamabad or Rawalpindi, don’t assume the full motorway is shut unless the advisory says so. For background, read our earlier coverage: Islamabad Red Zone Traffic Advisory March 2026: Restrictions, Routes & Updates.

What this means for drivers

For long-distance travellers coming from Peshawar, Swabi, Hazara, Attock or nearby areas, these limits can delay a trip before you even reach the city side of Islamabad. A road may look open on a map, but if the affected point is at an interchange or checkpoint, you can still get stopped and turned back.

For local commuters, the risk is different. Even if you are already near Islamabad or Rawalpindi, an open outer road does not always mean easy access to your final stop. A blocked entry point can still cost you time, fuel and patience. That’s especially hard on families, patients and anyone heading to the airport, office or a time-sensitive appointment.

If you want a wider traffic picture, our older update on Islamabad Traffic Update: Red Zone & Expressway Closed for Foreign Delegations: Alternate Routes 2026 shows how quickly city access can change during major security-related movement. Treat this kind of situation the same way: verify before you roll out.

A motorway name is not the same as a full clearance to travel. The exact interchange, direction and checkpoint can make all the difference.

What is confirmed, and what is not?

What we can confirm from the live advisory is the set of motorway restrictions above, along with the update time. The official NHMP page at National Highways and Motorway Police contact page identifies the authority responsible for motorway road-user updates, while Islamabad Capital Territory Police is the right place to check for city-specific notices.

What is not confirmed in the supplied record is just as important:

• no verified closure list for every Islamabad or Rawalpindi entry point

• no confirmed reopening time

• no full shutdown of every lane on the M-1, E35 or M-14

• no verified diversion plan beyond the M-1 southbound diversion from Swabi Interchange

• no confirmed link to a PTI march from the official advisory itself

So if you’ve seen social posts or forwarded alerts, treat them as unconfirmed until the route is matched with an official update.

What should you do before leaving?

Keep it practical:

• check the latest NHMP advisory right before departure

• confirm the exact kilometre marker, not just the road name

• check whether the restriction applies to your direction of travel

• delay non-essential travel if your route is one of the affected corridors

• keep fuel, water and your phone charged in case you’re delayed

If you’re carrying children, elders or a patient, it’s smarter to wait for a verified open window than to gamble on a partial reopening.

Conclusion

The main takeaway is simple: M-1, E35/Hazara Motorway and M-14 are all under active NHMP-reported restrictions in specific sections, but the closure status is not the same on every part of each road. Before heading toward Islamabad or Rawalpindi, check the exact point, direction and latest official update so you don’t get stuck at a checkpoint or interchange.

For more updates, visit DrivePK.com