Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday ordered the immediate reopening of highways and all major roads blocked due to protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the alleged negligence in the treatment of the jailed party founder Imran Khan.
In a two-page written order, the court ordered police to reopen all roads and highways today, saying the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that road closures had caused severe hardship to the public.
The court observed that counsel had submitted that patients had died while being transported due to road blockages.
Traffic flow remained disrupted on key intercity routes in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the PTI continued its protests against the alleged delay in the treatment of the party founder, who has been in jail since August 2023. In Swabi, party workers continued their sit-in at the motorway rest area, leading to the suspension of traffic on the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway.
In Abbottabad, PTI workers continued a sit-in at the Havelian Interchange on the Hazara Motorway for a fourth consecutive day. As a result, the route remained closed from both the Islamabad and Mansehra sides.
In Nowshera, PTI workers continued their protest near the Rashakai-Motorway Interchange, with local administration advising commuters to use the GT Road as an alternative route.
During today’s hearing, the PHC summoned the KP advocate general, inspector general of police and the chief secretary in connection with the case.
In its order, the court stated that IG and chief secretary admitted that the roads had been closed due to the protest. The court expressed regret over the response submitted by the police and the provincial government on the matter, directing the IG to ensure that no roads are blocked by protesters.
The PHC also ordered the police to take all possible measures to restore traffic on highways and other roads without delay.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have mobilized on the orders of the PHC. IG Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zulfiqar Hameed has directed all regional and district police officers to open the highways. According to the IG KP, the purpose of opening roads is to facilitate the movement of people
