ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/PESHAWAR: Authorities have initiated a sweeping security scale-up across Islamabad and the Punjab region, resulting in complete closures of major motorways, targeted internet degradations, and the deployment of paramilitary forces. The National Highways and Motorway Police suspended all vehicular traffic in both directions along key transportation corridors effective Wednesday evening (Sept 23). The M-1 Motorway is completely closed between the Islamabad Toll Plaza and the Chach Interchange, blocking access through major exit points including Fatehjhang, Sangjani, Brahma Bahtar, Burhan, Hazara Motorway, Ghazi, and Chach. Simultaneously, the M-14 Motorway has shut down from Hakla to Kundal in both directions, cutting off access across the corridor through the Hakla, Pindi Gheb, Kharapa, Tarap, Daud Khel, Kot Belian, Isa Khel, and Kundal interchanges.

Commuters face further restrictions along Grand Trunk Road N-5, which has been shut down to all two-way traffic at Attock Khurd. In addition, the Islamabad Capital Territory administration has blocked routes through Daman-e-Koh leading toward Haripur and Abbottabad by placing shipping containers near Murad Gali and Monal. To enforce order alongside local law enforcement, the Punjab Home Department issued a notification confirming the deployment of 10 Wings of Pakistan Rangers across sensitive cities in the Rawalpindi Region. The paramilitary footprint includes three Wings in Rawalpindi District - positioned across Rawalpindi City and Taxila - alongside five Wings in Attock, one in Jhelum, and one in Chakwal. Transit authorities advise all commuters to review official travel advisories and prepare alternative routes ahead of transit.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would expand its organisational activities in KP and remain actively engaged with the people and party workers. Addressing party workers after inaugurating the PML-N office in Peshawar, he said the new office would serve as a platform for workers to strengthen the party and maintain regular contact with the public. Questioning the performance of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial governments during its nearly 14-and-a-half years in power, Tarar asked the party leadership to present its record of service before the people of KP and Peshawar. He criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders for what he described as political confrontation and alleged that some of them avoided arrest during police actions.

In contrast, he said, PML-N leaders had faced arrests and difficult political circumstances while continuing their political activities. Political parties should compete through their performance and programmes rather than confrontation, he added. The minister said PML-N governments had contributed to infrastructure, education, health and energy development in KP, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was continuing the development approach of PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday alleged that people in plain clothes had been targeting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers, office-bearers and elected representatives across the province, warning against what he described as attempts to intimidate the provincial government and isolate KP from the rest of the country.