PESHAWAR: Major roads in Dera Ismail Khan and Abbottabad, blocked by protesting workers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, were reopened to traffic on Tuesday, bringing relief to commuters after several days.

However, most of the roads in other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained blocked as PTI workers said that their protest would continue until founder of the party and former prime minister Imran Khan was shifted to hospital from Adiala Jail for medical treatment of his eye.

The workers of PTI have been protesting for the last five days for acceptance of their demands. They have only opened Grand Trunk Road at Khairabad Bridge since Monday evening. They have blocked Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway at Swabi’s Anbar Interchange, Lakki Marwat-Mianwali Road, Hazara Motorway at Abbottabad-Havelian Interchange and Kohat-Pindi Road near Khushal Garh.

Peshawar High Court on Tuesday ordered reopening of roads.

The district police officer of Dera Ismail Khan, Sahibzada Sajjad Ahmed, told journalists that all highways in the district were cleared and flow of traffic was restored. He added that protesters would remain present symbolically at certain points but they would not obstruct vehicular movement.

Police action likely as PTI workers refuse to end protest on motorway

The DPO said that closure of Dera-Darya Khan Road caused significant hardships to people, particularly daily commuters, patients and traders. He added that police were deployed at key locations to maintain law and order.

The reopening of roads in Dera Ismail Khan was welcomed by traders and transporters, who had earlier expressed concerns over financial losses and supply disruptions caused by the blockade.

However, PTI workers refused to open many of the exit and entry points of KP despite efforts as authorities were contemplating to use force to clear after PHC issued directive in this regard.

PTI deputy secretary information Ikram Khattana told Dawn that PTI was a democratic party and peaceful protest was its constitutional right. He said that no one could deprive PTI of its constitutional rights.

He said that some senior police officers approached protestors at Swabi’s Anbar Interchange of Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway to reopen the road but workers refused to open it till fulfillment of their demands. He said that Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi, MNA Shahid Khattak and KP government’s spokesperson Shafi Jan were also present at the venue of protest.

A protestor told Dawn that the decision to block the motorway was not taken by PTI leadership rather it was workers’ decision and no one could force them to end the protest.

According to a statement, provincial police chief Zulfiqar Hameed has directed regional and district police officers to reopening the closed roads. “Orders have been issued to reopen closed roads following the orders of PHC,” it said, adding that reopening of roads was aimed at facilitating movement of people.

Swabi police are expected to launch a crackdown on PTI workers to reopen motorway as negotiations between officials and PTI leaders remained inconclusive.

DPO Ziauddin Ahmed told Dawn that police had to implement the order of PHC in letter and spirit. He said that motorway would be reopened to traffic.

Commuters, motorists and goods transporters faced severe problems owing to closure of motorway on fifth consecutive day.

The DPO did not explain as to how the motorway would be reopened as PTI workers have set up camps at its rest area. RPO Rabnawaz Khan along with Swabi DPO, Mardan commissioner and other officials visited the PTI camp on motorway and held negotiations with PTI leaders led by Shafi Jan.

Sources said that situation was tense and police were waiting for dark to implement the order of court. More than 1500 workers and leaders of PTI were present on motorway during the talks. PTI leaders announced that the motorway would remain blocked after failure of talks.

Abbottabad police said in a statement that on the instructions of IGP Zulfiqar Hameed and RPO Nasir Mahmood Satti, they reopened Hazara Motorway and Kohala Road to all types of traffic.

The statement said that people could now travel on motorway and Kohala Road. In this regard, Hazara DIG Nasir Mahmood Satti said that Hazara police were striving to provide all possible facilities for safe travel to people.

The Hazara DIG gave special instructions to SSP Traffic Mohammad Ishtiaq and Havelian SP Jamilur Rehman to remain present on the spot and maintain constant flow of traffic on motorway, Kohala Road and Shahrah-i-Resham, it added.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2026