Lawyer challenges Islamabad–Peshawar motorway closure in court — Dawn
In Pakistan, lawyer Mian Shafqat Jan has filed a petition with the Islamabad High Court over the closure of the M-1 motorway between Islamabad and Peshawar. He is asking the court to order the authorities to open blocked routes for lawyers, litigants and emergency services, Dawn reports.
Jan, a Supreme Court of Pakistan lawyer, said he was unable to reach the Peshawar High Court to attend a hearing on September 24 because of the road closure. According to his petition, at around 7:00 he managed with difficulty to enter the motorway through the Islamabad toll plaza, but the route was closed at the Attock Bridge on the M-1.
Petitioner’s arguments
The lawyer said he asked officials at the site whether there was a written order authorizing the closure, but was unable to obtain confirmation. In his view, closing public routes without an official notice, written order or explanation of the reasons violates citizens’ fundamental rights.
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He referred to a recent 37-page ruling by the Islamabad High Court concerning a planned rally by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The court stated that activity restricting citizens’ fundamental rights is contrary to the Constitution, and that the right to peaceful assembly cannot be exercised at the expense of other people’s rights. The bench also ordered the authorities to prevent the blocking of roads, motorways, interchanges and toll plazas.
Which roads are closed
According to the National Highways and Motorway Police, the M-1 is closed to traffic in both directions between the Islamabad toll plaza and the Chhachh interchange. The M-14 motorway was closed on the section from Hakla to Kundal, while the Grand Trunk Road was blocked at Attock Khurd.
The authorities tightened security measures in Attock district ahead of PTI’s planned march on Islamabad: containers and sandbags were placed on key bridges, while security was reinforced at entry and exit points. The federal government also approved the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and several districts of Punjab province. PTI had planned to hold a protest on September 27 demanding the release of the party’s imprisoned founder, Imran Khan, but, according to the publication, the event was postponed.
