Pakistan’s National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) has announced closures affecting two major motorways and the GT Road from the evening of September 23, 2026. The restrictions will affect important routes connecting Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, making it important for motorists to check road conditions before starting their journey.
According to the reported NHMP announcement, the M-1 Motorway will be closed in both directions between Islamabad Toll Plaza and Chach Interchange. The M-14 Motorway will also be closed in both directions between Hakla and Kundal, while the GT Road (N-5) will be closed at Attock Khurd.
The closures cover several interchanges and major travel corridors, so commuters should account for possible diversions and delays.
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M-1 Motorway Closure From Islamabad to Chach
The first major restriction involves the M-1 Motorway, which connects Islamabad with Peshawar.
The reported closure will cover the section from Islamabad Toll Plaza to Chach Interchange and will apply to traffic in both directions.
The affected locations include:
- Islamabad Toll Plaza
- Fateh Jang/Tarnol Interchange
- Sangjani/AWT Interchange
- Brahma Bahter Interchange
- Burhan Interchange
- Hazara Motorway Interchange
- Ghazi Interchange
- Chach Interchange
This section of the M-1 is an important route for people travelling between Islamabad, Rawalpindi-area connections and destinations toward Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The NHMP’s current travel-advisory system shows that road conditions and restrictions can change by sector, which is why motorists are advised to check the latest advisory before departure.
For official updates, motorists can consult the National Highways and Motorway Police travel advisory.
M-14 Motorway Also Set to Close
The second major motorways closure concerns the M-14, also known as the Islamabad-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway.
According to the reported announcement, the M-14 will be closed in both directions between Hakla and Kundal.
The affected interchanges are:
- Hakla
- Fateh Jang
- Pindi Gheb
- Kharpa
- Tarap
- Daud Khel
- Kot Belian
- Isa Khel
- Kundal
The M-14 is an important north-south connection linking the Islamabad region with areas of Punjab and onward toward Dera Ismail Khan.
The NHMP’s current advisory separately lists the M-14 sector as Hakla to D.I. Khan and currently shows law-and-order-related lane restrictions at some locations.
Because the reported full closure begins from the evening of September 23, travelers using the M-14 should check the latest NHMP information before leaving.
GT Road N-5 Closure at Attock Khurd
The closure announcement also covers the GT Road, or N-5, at Attock Khurd.
Unlike the motorway closures, the reported restriction is focused on the Attock Khurd section of N-5 and will affect traffic in both directions.
The GT Road is one of Pakistan’s major national highway corridors, connecting numerous cities across the northern and central parts of the country.
The NHMP’s travel-advisory system identifies N-5 as the national highway route running through major sections from Peshawar toward Lahore and further south.
Which Routes and Interchanges Are Affected?
For travelers planning their journeys, the main affected locations can be summarized as follows:
| Route | Affected Section | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| M-1 | Islamabad Toll Plaza to Chach Interchange | Both directions |
| M-14 | Hakla to Kundal | Both directions |
| N-5 GT Road | Attock Khurd | Both directions |
The M-1 closure has the largest list of named interchanges, while the M-14 closure affects a long stretch between Hakla and Kundal.
Motorists should not assume that an interchange close to their starting point will remain accessible simply because their destination is outside the closure zone. Access routes and connecting roads can also experience increased traffic when major motorways are restricted.
What Should Travelers Do Before Leaving?
The most important step for anyone planning to travel through the affected areas is to check the latest road status before departure.
NHMP operates an online travel-advisory system that provides updates on road conditions, closures, diversions and other travel information.
Travelers should consider the following:
Check the Route Before Departure
Do not rely only on the normal route shown by a navigation application. A motorway or highway may be closed after the app’s routing information was updated.
Check the latest official NHMP advisory before starting the trip.
Allow Extra Travel Time
If traffic is diverted from a motorway to alternative roads, congestion can develop around nearby interchanges and connecting routes.
Travelers with appointments, flights or other time-sensitive plans should allow additional time.
Confirm Alternative Routes
If the M-1 or M-14 forms part of your planned journey, identify an alternative route before leaving rather than waiting until reaching a closure point.
The appropriate alternative will depend on the traveler’s starting point, destination and vehicle type.
Follow Traffic Police Instructions
Motorists should follow any diversion signs and instructions from NHMP personnel. The authority’s stated mission includes providing assistance and promoting safe travel on national highways and motorways.
Why Checking the NHMP Advisory Matters
Road closures can change as circumstances develop.
The official NHMP travel-advisory page was updated on September 22, 2026, and shows a combination of road closures, lane restrictions, diversions and road-work notices across different motorway and highway sectors.
This means travelers should check the advisory as close to departure as possible instead of relying on an older social-media post or previously saved route.
The NHMP also provides a 130 helpline for road users seeking travel guidance and assistance.
How the Closures Could Affect Commuters
The effect will depend heavily on where travelers are going and which route they normally use.
For people travelling between Islamabad and destinations toward Peshawar, restrictions on the M-1 could require a different route.
Those travelling toward areas served by the M-14 may also need to reconsider their route because the reported closure extends from Hakla to Kundal.
Meanwhile, travelers using the GT Road through Attock Khurd will need to account for the N-5 restriction.
The biggest practical issue is likely to be traffic redistribution. When traffic is diverted away from a major motorway, nearby roads can experience higher volumes than usual.
That can affect journey times even for people who are not directly using the closed section.
Are All Pakistan Motorways Closed?
No.
The announcement concerns specific sections of M-1 and M-14, along with the affected section of N-5. It does not mean that all motorways and national highways across Pakistan will be closed.
The NHMP’s live advisory currently lists several other motorway sectors with their own road, lane and traffic conditions. For example, the M-2, M-3, M-4 and M-5 sections have separate updates in the system.
Therefore, travelers should check the specific route they intend to use rather than assuming that the entire motorway network is affected.
What Is the Best Source for Last-Minute Updates?
The National Highways and Motorway Police is the key official source for road-status information.
Its website provides a travel-advisory service, while the NHMP helpline is available at 130.
The authority also advises motorists to obtain the latest motorway and national-highway information before beginning their journey.
For anyone travelling on September 23 or afterward, checking the official advisory immediately before departure can help identify changes to closures or diversions.
Final Thoughts
The reported motorways closure plan will affect important sections of the M-1 and M-14, while the GT Road will also be closed at Attock Khurd from the evening of September 23, 2026.
The M-1 restriction covers the Islamabad Toll Plaza to Chach Interchange, while the M-14 closure runs from Hakla to Kundal. The N-5 restriction applies at Attock Khurd.
Because road conditions can change, travelers should check the latest NHMP travel advisory and, when necessary, contact the 130 helpline before beginning their journey.
For commuters, the key issue is not only whether their own route is closed, but also whether diverted traffic could affect connecting roads and alternative routes.
