PESHAWAR – The Peshawar High Court on Tuesday ordered the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police and Chief Secretary to immediately reopen roads across the province. Justice Ijaz Anwar criticized the ruling party for causing hardship, saying prolonged closures have created severe difficulties for the public and endangered lives.
During the hearing, Justice Anwar said it was the fourth consecutive day of road closures, preventing residents from leaving Peshawar. “Yesterday, children could not travel due to blocked roads. There is terrorism in the province—have mercy on the people,” he said.
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The Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stated that lawmakers had gone to Islamabad to enforce a Supreme Court order and were not defending any wrongful action. Justice Anwar responded, urging officials to prioritize citizens over political affiliations. “Stop defending the party; act as residents of Peshawar,” he said.
The IG and Chief Secretary requested two days to submit a report, but the court rejected the timeline. Justice Anwar insisted that roads be reopened immediately and ordered that motorways must never be blocked again. The hearing was adjourned after the IG assured the court that traffic would be restored today.
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The court emphasized that no road in Peshawar, especially key arteries, should remain closed in the future. Authorities were instructed to maintain open access to prevent public inconvenience and ensure safety in the province.