By PK-News.com | September 23, 2026

Islamabad is facing increasingly extensive security and traffic restrictions as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares for its planned September 27 march, with authorities taking measures to limit access to the federal capital.

The latest developments include the closure of major highways connecting Islamabad with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the deployment of large numbers of security personnel and shipping containers at strategic locations. The measures come days before PTI supporters are expected to travel toward Islamabad in a demonstration centred on demands concerning the release of party founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Major Highways Closed

According to the National Highways and Motorway Police, three important routes have been affected.

The Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) is being closed in both directions between the Islamabad Toll Plaza and Chhachh Interchange.

The Islamabad-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway (M-14) has also been closed between Hakla and Kundal.

In addition, the Grand Trunk Road (N-5) has been closed at Attock Khurd. Authorities have indicated that the closures will remain in place until further notice.

These routes are particularly significant because they provide major connections between Islamabad, northern Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Attock area is especially important because it serves as a major gateway between KP and the Islamabad-Rawalpindi region.

Why Attock Has Become a Key Security Point

Attock is emerging as one of the main focal points of the preparations.

Authorities have placed containers and sandbags around important bridges and entry points, including Attock Bridge and Haroon Bridge. Additional security measures have also been reported around Chhachh and Ghazi interchanges.

The location is strategically significant because PTI's political base in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa means that a substantial portion of supporters travelling toward Islamabad could approach the capital through northern routes.

Dawn reported that authorities expected between 20,000 and 25,000 protesters, while additional personnel were being arranged to manage the situation.

Thousands of Security Personnel Mobilised

Security preparations have expanded beyond Islamabad itself.

Reuters reported on September 23 that approximately 35,000 additional police and paramilitary personnel had been stationed in and around the capital, according to an Interior Ministry official. Additional forces have also been deployed elsewhere in the country where gatherings could take place.

The scale of the deployment reflects the government's preparations for a potentially large mobilisation.

Authorities have also been preparing important government areas and sensitive locations in Islamabad for possible demonstrations.

The Red Zone, which contains major state institutions, diplomatic facilities and other important government buildings, has received additional barricades and containers.

More Than 2,000 Containers Reported

Containers have become one of the most visible symbols of the security preparations.

Dawn reported that more than 2,000 containers had been deployed at key locations in Islamabad and Attock.

The containers are being used to restrict vehicle and pedestrian movement at strategic points.

Reports have also described containers being positioned around areas including D-Chowk, Serena Chowk, Srinagar Highway and other approaches toward the capital.

The precise number of containers may change as authorities continue modifying the security arrangements, so the figures should be treated as a snapshot of preparations rather than a final total.

Islamabad's Traffic Could Face Major Disruptions

The highway closures are likely to have consequences beyond political demonstrators.

The M-1 and M-14 are important transport links, while the GT Road is heavily used for movement between northern Punjab and surrounding regions.

Authorities have therefore advised travellers to plan their journeys carefully.

An Islamabad police advisory previously warned motorists to avoid the M-1 and postpone non-essential travel during the closure period.

The M-2 between Lahore and Islamabad had remained open according to the earlier advisory, although travellers have been urged to monitor official announcements because conditions can change quickly.

PTI Says March Will Continue

Despite the restrictions, PTI leadership has continued to say that the September 27 mobilisation will proceed.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan has said the march will go ahead despite the government's measures. Reuters reported that PTI leadership maintains the position that supporters will proceed with the planned demonstration.

The party has presented the protest as a peaceful political mobilisation and has linked it primarily to demands concerning Imran Khan.

PTI leaders have also criticised the detention of party workers and political figures ahead of the march.

Government Position

The government has taken a different approach.

Officials have warned that demonstrations cannot be allowed to disrupt public roads, government institutions or ordinary life in the capital.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has publicly warned PTI against proceeding with the march and said authorities would respond if the demonstration created serious security or public-order problems.

The government has therefore focused on preventing large groups from reaching sensitive parts of Islamabad rather than waiting until protesters arrive in the capital.

This explains the emphasis on controlling routes in Punjab, Attock and the approaches from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Political Situation Is Becoming More Complicated

The security preparations are taking place alongside broader political tensions.

Reuters reported that authorities had detained three of Imran Khan's sisters and hundreds of PTI activists in recent days, with officials citing public-order considerations. PTI has criticised the arrests and described the wider actions against its supporters as part of a crackdown.

Separately, PTI lawmakers and party leaders have continued raising concerns over restrictions on political activity.

These competing claims remain part of an increasingly tense political environment ahead of September 27.

What Happens on September 27?

The situation remains fluid.

Three developments will be particularly important over the coming days:

First, whether PTI supporters can travel toward Islamabad despite the closure of major highways.

Second, whether the authorities maintain or expand the current road restrictions.

Third, whether negotiations or political contacts produce any change before the planned march.

At present, the documented positions are clear: authorities are restricting access to Islamabad, while PTI says it intends to continue with its planned mobilisation.

What remains uncertain is the size of the eventual gathering and how the authorities and protesters will respond to one another on the ground.

Possible Impact on Islamabad

If restrictions remain in place for several days, the effects could extend beyond the protest itself.

Traffic congestion, delays in commercial transportation, disruption to intercity travel and difficulties accessing government and business districts are possible consequences.

The authorities' decision to close major routes also means that ordinary travellers will need to monitor road conditions carefully.

For Islamabad residents, the location and duration of the restrictions could become an important issue as September 27 approaches.

PK-News.com Analysis

The latest developments show that Islamabad is entering September 27 under an unusually extensive security arrangement.

The closure of the M-1, M-14 and N-5, deployment of containers and mobilisation of additional security personnel represent concrete measures already announced or reported by authorities.

At the same time, PTI has not announced a withdrawal of its planned march.

The coming days will therefore be critical for determining how the political mobilisation develops and how long the current transport restrictions remain in place.

PK-News.com will continue monitoring the Islamabad security situation, road closures, PTI mobilisation and official announcements ahead of September 27.