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Peshawar High Court Orders Immediate Reopening of Roads Amid Protest Blockades
The Peshawar High Court has ordered KP’s IG Police and Chief Secretary to immediately reopen blocked roads, warning against further closures. Justice Ijaz Anwar said public suffering cannot continue and directed authorities to ensure motorways remain open.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-17
Peshawar High Court Orders Immediate Reopening of Roads Amid Protest Blockades

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday ordered the immediate reopening of roads across Peshawar, directing the Inspector General of Police and the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to restore public access without delay.

The directives were issued during a hearing concerning prolonged road closures that have disrupted daily life in the provincial capital for four consecutive days.

Justice Ijaz Anwar expressed strong displeasure over the continued blockades, stating that citizens were facing severe hardships due to the closures. “It is the fourth day, the roads are closed, the people of the province are facing severe difficulties. People are losing their lives,” he observed during the proceedings.

The judge criticized the provincial government, remarking that the ruling party was causing suffering to the people of its own province. He ordered authorities to open the roads “today itself.”

Justice Anwar further highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that residents were unable to leave Peshawar. “Yesterday, our children went out and came back saying that the roads are closed. There is terrorism in the province — have mercy on the people,” he said.

During the hearing, the Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa informed the court that Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) had travelled to Islamabad in compliance with orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and were not defending any unlawful actions.

However, Justice Anwar questioned the stance of the Advocate General, saying it was inappropriate for him to appear supportive of the protest. “As the Advocate General, you do not look right supporting the protest. Leave the party, become a citizen of Peshawar,” he remarked.

The Inspector General of Police and the Chief Secretary requested two days to submit a report to the court. The judge rejected the request, insisting that no delay would be tolerated.

“Not two days — open the roads from today,” Justice Anwar directed, further instructing authorities to ensure that the motorway remains open under all circumstances.

The court ordered that no roads, especially in Peshawar, should be closed again after Tuesday. The hearing was adjourned after the IG Police assured the bench that the roads would be reopened immediately.

The ruling comes amid mounting public frustration over mobility restrictions, with citizens reporting significant disruption to daily routines, emergency services, and commercial activity due to the prolonged closures.
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