M-1 Motorway Closed From Swabi to Islamabad Amid Security Measures

ISLAMABAD: A major section of the M-1 Motorway between Swabi and Islamabad was closed to traffic on Thursday morning, disrupting one of the busiest road connections between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the federal capital. Traffic heading toward Islamabad from the Anbar and Swabi area was halted, creating difficulties for commuters and long-distance travellers using the key motorway corridor.

The National Highways and Motorway Police travel advisory listed the M-1 section from Swabi to the Islamabad motorway toll plaza as closed in both directions because of a law-and-order situation. The advisory also indicated that southbound traffic was being diverted from Swabi Interchange, requiring motorists travelling toward Islamabad to reconsider their routes before beginning their journeys.

Passengers heading toward Islamabad International Airport were among those facing disruption as the closure affected a principal route used by travellers coming from Peshawar, Swabi and surrounding areas. There was no confirmed time for reopening the affected motorway section when the latest information was issued, leaving passengers and commercial transport operators uncertain about how long the restrictions would remain in place.

The disruption extends beyond a single point on the national road network. The motorway authority's travel information also showed restrictions on other northern routes because of law-and-order conditions. The Hakla-Dera Ismail Khan M-14 corridor was listed with restrictions in both directions, while southbound movement on the Swat Expressway between Chakdara Toll Plaza and Colonel Sher Khan Toll Plaza was also affected.

On the N-5 national highway, a section at Attock Khurd was listed as closed in both directions because of the prevailing law-and-order situation. These simultaneous restrictions increase pressure on alternative roads and can significantly lengthen travel times for passengers moving between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Punjab and Islamabad. Motorists attempting to bypass the motorway closure may therefore encounter additional delays on routes that would normally serve as alternatives.

The M-1 is one of Pakistan's most important intercity transport arteries, connecting Islamabad with Peshawar through major population and commercial centres including Burhan, Chachh and Swabi. Any prolonged closure can affect private vehicles, passenger buses, airport-bound traffic and freight movement, particularly when nearby highway corridors are also operating under restrictions.

Travellers have been advised to check updated road conditions before departure rather than relying on normal motorway travel times. People with flights, medical appointments or other time-sensitive journeys may need to allow substantial additional travel time while the restrictions remain in effect. Authorities have not announced a definitive reopening schedule, making official traffic advisories the primary source for real-time route status.

The immediate next step will depend on the security situation and subsequent instructions from motorway authorities. Traffic is expected to resume only after the affected sections are cleared for safe movement. Until then, motorists travelling between Swabi and Islamabad should monitor route updates closely and follow diversions issued by traffic and motorway officials.