September 23, 2026
By Hashir Ahsan
ISLAMABAD
The decision to close down the motorway and GT Road in order to stop Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) September 27 protest and long march has been brought into action by the Capital City administration. The Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M1) is being closed for an indefinite period from Islamabad Toll Plaza to Chach Interchange, and the key CPEC route M14 from Hakla to Kundal from both sides by the National Highways and Motorway Police starting Wednesday night.
Apart from this, GT Road (N5) is also being blocked at Attock Khurd, along with the closure of various entry and exit points to prevent the advance of the protesters. According to sources, Motorway M2 (Lahore to Islamabad) and GT Road will also be closed in the coming days.
Regarding any expected disruptions in the communication system, sources say that on the day of the protest on September 27, there is a strong possibility of partial or complete suspension of mobile phone and internet services in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and nearby sensitive districts. Although no official notification has been issued yet, security agencies are giving final consideration to this option to maintain the fragile law and order situation and to prevent the spread of rumors.
In view of PTI’s call for a protest and long march starting from Peshawar on September 27, security and administrative measures have been rendered extremely tight in the federal capital Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and surrounding districts. To maintain the law and order situation and avoid potential confrontation, security agencies have completed preparations for sealing off the city, under which a comprehensive strategy based on blocking key highways and suspending communication systems is being adopted.
A comprehensive security plan has been formulated by the administration and police, under which more than 1,000 containers have been summoned to block the Federal Capital’s Red Zone and sensitive locations. Containers have already been delivered to the city’s entry points such as Faizabad, Tarnol, and Sangjani. To maintain law and order, a decision has been made to deploy over 30,000 additional personnel from Punjab, Sindh, First Capital Police, Rangers, and Frontier Constabulary.
Residents of the capital appear worried due to the PTI march and the government’s preparations. Citizens are demanding that the government and political parties sit down together to resolve issues, so that they do not suffer the mental agony of road and service closures.
Speaking to Voicepk, General Secretary of Insaaf Lawyers Forum Islamabad, Murtaza Hussain Turi, stated that police are arresting our workers in previously registered cases, and the workers are being sent to jail for identification parades. To date, the identification parade of any accused has not been completed by the police; instead, adjournments are sought. The sole objective of the police is to somehow keep our workers in jail for an extended period. Murtaza Turi further added that we have filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court regarding the arrest of workers, and we hope for positive developments on it.
On the other hand, a case has been registered against Member of the National Assembly Junaid Akbar at the Cybercrime Reporting Center Islamabad of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).According to details, this FIR against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MNA Junaid Akbar has been registered under Sections 9, 10, and 11 of the PECA Act. In the FIR, he is accused of allegedly promoting anti-state content through social media.
According to NCCIA officials, the said action was taken over content that surfaced through a TikTok account with approximately 39,500 followers. It is alleged that threatening and provocative content was shared through this account.
The text of the FIR asserts that the published alleged content creates a severe risk of spreading fear, panic, and unrest among the public against the government and state institutions. Furthermore, the text also frames this alleged content within the context and definition of terrorism under state laws.
The NCCIA has registered the case under the PECA Act and initiated formal legal proceedings and investigation into the matter.
Initially, 54 educational institutions in Islamabad have been closed; apart from the 54 institutions included in the list, all other educational institutions will remain open. The police force has been accommodated in the 54 educational institutions observing holidays. Teaching activities will remain suspended in several schools in G-6, F-6, F-7, and G-7. Specific educational institutions in Tarnol, Sangjani, Sihala, and Rawal Dam are also closed.
To deal with any emergency situation during the protest march, an emergency alert has been enforced in PIMS and Polyclinic hospitals, and leaves of the staff have been canceled.