Following orders from the Peshawar High Court (PHC), Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Police and administration officials launched an operation on Tuesday to reopen major roadways blocked by protesters across the province.
Roads Reopened, Protesters Dispersed
Key routes including the Attock Bridge, M-14, Hazara Motorway, and roads in Dera Ismail Khan were cleared for traffic. The K-P Inspector General of Police (IG) directed regional and district police officers to swiftly implement the court’s directives, emphasizing that obstructing the public’s right to movement violates the Constitution.
The operation included removing barriers from the Attock Bridge on the GT Road, restoring connections between Punjab and K-P. Roads linking Dera Ismail Khan to Mianwali and Chashma were also cleared, as was the M-14 motorway to Islamabad, including the CPEC York Toll Plaza. The Hazara Motorway, including Havelian and Muslimabad interchanges, was also reopened.
The IG stated the operation’s primary goal is to ensure travel convenience, prevent disruption to business and daily life, and prevent future road blockages, affirming the constitutional right to movement.
Chief Minister Expresses Disapproval
K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi reportedly expressed disapproval of the IG’s actions, suggesting the IG was taking direction from elsewhere. He questioned the rationale behind the protests, asking, “What do people want? Why are they sitting there?”
The PHC had previously ordered the IG and chief secretary to immediately open the roads and report back to the court by day’s end, also directing action against those taking the law into their own hands. The court strongly disapproved of the closure of the motorway and GT Road by PTI workers protesting concerns over the health of party founder Imran Khan.
Petitioners Subhiya Shahid, Yusuf Ali, and Shaoor Wardag informed the court that PTI workers had blocked the motorway at Anbar Interchange and the GT Road near Attock Bridge for five days, causing significant inconvenience. They argued that Article 15 of the Constitution guarantees the right to free movement.
Justice Anwar of the PHC questioned the K-P advocate general regarding legal action taken against those blocking the roads, but the advocate general requested additional time to compile the data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the roads blocked in K-P?
PTI workers and supporters blocked major highways and motorways across K-P in protest against the alleged denial of access to jailed party founder Imran Khan, including meetings with his family, lawyers, sisters, and personal physicians.
Which specific roads were reopened?
The Attock Bridge, M-14, Hazara Motorway, roads in Dera Ismail Khan, the Dera Ismail Khan to Mianwali and Chashma roads, the M-14 motorway to Islamabad (including the CPEC York Toll Plaza), and the Hazara Motorway (including Havelian and Muslimabad interchanges) were all reopened.
What was the Peshawar High Court’s response to the road closures?
The PHC issued a direct order to the IG and chief secretary to immediately open the roads and submit a report, expressing strong disapproval of the closures and directing action against those responsible.
Given the recent court order and police action, further protests could occur, though authorities have stated they will not tolerate future road blockages. The situation remains fluid, and the extent to which PTI supporters will continue to demonstrate remains to be seen.
