NHMP Advises 10am-6pm Travel During Fog in Pakistan

Dense fog is again slowing motorway travel in Punjab, and reportedly on 10 November 2026 that the National Highways and Motorway Police advised necessary travellers to prefer the 10am to 6pm window for daytime movement. The same report said parts of the M4 Motorway were restricted, while the M1 near Peshawar and Rashakai had also been affected earlier, so you should check the latest NHMP status before leaving.

Status at 10 November 2026

The clearest message for drivers is simple: don’t treat the 10am–6pm window as a guarantee that the road is open. It was reported as a safer travel period, not a promise that fog will lift or that every section will reopen. For background, read our earlier coverage: Pakistan Railways Revises Train Timings Amid Dense Fog: Updates and Tips.

reportedly Syed Imran Ahmed, identified as an NHMP Central Region spokesperson, said the closures were meant to protect lives and public property. That statement matters because motorway fog restrictions can change quickly when visibility improves or worsens.

Here’s the reported road status from the 10 November update:

• M4 Motorway: Shamkot to Abdul Hakeem — reportedly closed to all traffic

• M4 Motorway: Sher Shah area near Multan to Khanewal — reportedly closed to heavy traffic

• M4 Motorway: Abdul Hakeem to Gojra — reportedly closed to heavy traffic in the 8am status update

• M1 Motorway: Peshawar main toll plaza to Rashakai — reportedly closed earlier because of fog

That difference between closed to all traffic and closed to heavy traffic is important. A heavy-vehicle restriction does not always mean private cars can keep moving freely, especially if fog is thick enough to force broader control.

If you’re travelling through the M4 corridor, this is one of those mornings when a family trip can turn messy in minutes. We covered a similar winter travel situation in Dense Fog Disrupts Travel in Punjab: Road Closures and Flight Delays Explained, and the same basic rule applies here: check before you roll out.

Why the timing can change so fast

Fog is not steady. One stretch can look manageable, and then a few kilometres later the lane markings vanish and traffic slows to a crawl. That’s why NHMP road status can change during the day.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast issued on 10 November 2026 at 10:30am PST and published at 11:39am warned of fog and smog at isolated places in Punjab, including Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan and their surroundings. That forecast does not confirm motorway closures, but it does explain why the road situation remained risky that morning. You can see the forecast on the PMD site here.

NDMA’s advisories page also shows active weather advisories, but it does not verify the motorway restrictions reported for this case. The advisory index is available here.

What drivers should do before leaving

If your trip can wait, delay it. That is the safest choice when fog is this serious.

If you must travel:

• check the latest NHMP road update right before departure

• confirm whether the restriction applies to all traffic or only heavy vehicles

• avoid entering a section that has been reported closed

• give yourself extra time instead of rushing to make up delays

• don’t rely on an old social post or an earlier traffic alert

And if you’re planning to use the M4 around Shamkot, Abdul Hakeem, Sher Shah, Multan, Khanewal or Gojra, or the M1 near Peshawar and Rashakai, recheck the route one more time before you start.

Why this matters for Pakistani families

For many drivers, fog season changes the whole day. A school run, work trip or intercity family journey can become a long wait at home if the motorway is restricted. That may feel annoying, but it’s better than getting stuck in low visibility with stopped traffic ahead.

So the practical move is clear: delay non-essential travel, and plan essential journeys in daylight only after checking the latest NHMP update. The reported 10am–6pm window is helpful, but it is still just a safer suggestion, not a guarantee.

Conclusion

Fog is disrupting motorway travel again, with reported restrictions on the M4 and an earlier fog-related closure on the M1. The best next step is to avoid non-essential travel, especially if you’re heading through the affected Punjab corridors, and to confirm the latest NHMP status before you leave.

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