Authorities in Lahore have blocked all major entry and exit points of the city, including motorways, ahead of a protest called by the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI).
Containers have been placed at the Babu Sabu Interchange to close off the motorway, and traffic is being diverted from Babu Sabu Chowk to Thokar Niaz Baig. The flow of traffic from Niazi Adda to Babu Sabu Interchange is severely disrupted, with thousands of containers lining the motorway.
At Saggian, roads are closed from Al-Saeed Chowk, and traffic is blocked from Sheikhupura on both sides. At Shahdara, traffic from Imamia Colony and Barkat Colony heading into Lahore is blocked. Additionally, Begum Kot Chowk and Eastern Bypass have been completely closed to traffic, while Lahore Ring Road is not accessible for routine traffic.
To manage the situation and ensure security, extra personnel have been deployed at all checkpoints across the city. However, according to the City Traffic Officer (CTO), the traffic flow within Lahore city remains normal.
Six Moterways closed:
At least six sections of the motorways have been closed from Friday night due to ‘maintenance’, as reported by the National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP).
A press release issued by NHMP stated: “The general public is hereby informed that due to road maintenance, the following motorways will remain closed starting from 8:00 PM on November 22”:
- M-1: Islamabad to Peshawar
- M-2: Islamabad to Lahore
- M-3: Lahore to Abdul Hakeem
- M-4: Pindi Bhattian to Multan
- M-14: Hakla to Yarik
- M-11: Lahore to Sialkot
Former prime minister Imran Khan has called on his supporters to march towards Islamabad on November 24 (Sunday) for the restoration of democracy, free judiciary, and the release of PTI workers.
