Overview
- The Islamabad High Court on Monday issued notices to the interior secretary, communications secretary and the Islamabad chief commissioner asking them to respond to a petition that challenges the closure of the Peshawar Motorway.
- The petition, filed by Advocate Mian Shafqat Jan, says the M-1 was closed without a written order or public notice and that the block prevented lawyers, litigants and emergency vehicles from travelling.
- Justice Muhammad Asif reiterated the court's view that actions which violate citizens' fundamental rights can breach the Constitution and said authorities cannot block access to Islamabad from either inside or outside.
- PTI postponed a planned march to Islamabad to October 4 after detentions of party leaders and supporters, and two PTI MNAs have filed separate IHC petitions challenging their preventive detention under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order.
- The court has directed respondents to file para‑wise replies and set further hearings, a process that could prompt orders requiring time‑bound, published procedures for any future route closures and exemptions for essential travel.