PESHAWAR: The situation across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained disrupted on Monday a day after emergency and governor’s rule were imposed, with road blockages, traffic restrictions and school closures reported in various areas.

In Peshawar, police personnel remained present on roads, with heavier deployment at the cantonment. Policemen at some places were seen alert, with batons in their hands.

All entry and exit points to Peshawar Cantonment remained closed, with police deployed in the surrounding areas. Entry is not allowed on Khyber Road, with traffic diverted towards Khyber Bazaar, Ramdas and Bhana Marhi Chungi. Roads leading to Saddar from Warsak and Shami Road were also blocked.

University Road was blocked near Tehkal. The GT Road entrance at Pir Zakori Bridge was also closed. The blockage at Firdous Chowk also remained in place.

Traffic restrictions witnessed in different areas

Railway Road leading to Shoba Bazaar and Dabgari Garden was also closed, as well as Sher Shah Suri Road.

No blockages were reported on the routes connecting Peshawar with Khyber, Kohat and Nowshera districts.

To reach the cantonment from the city, commuters have to take the City Circular Road and a detour via Kohat Road, which leads to FC Chowk. A rickshaw driver said that he had to turn back midway after finding roads leading to Saddar from Warsak and Shami Road blocked with containers.

Traffic was normal on Kohat Road, Charsadda Road and GT Road, although the latter was nearly deserted near the closed entrance at Pir Zakori Bridge.

The City Circular Road, which runs along the outer edges of the old city wall, is usually heavily congested. On Monday, however, traffic was light despite the road being dug up for construction. It appeared that most people were staying home.

Internet and mobile phone services were completely restored.

In Mardan, all government and private educational institutions remained closed. All examinations and papers scheduled were cancelled.

In Swabi, about 140 workers were detained after they gathered at Ismailia Interchange and Razaar Sports Complex where the PTI protest march led by Sohail Afridi was supposed to reach.

Police personnel were deployed at various places, including Karnal Sher Khan Chowk in the district headquarters, Topi tehsil, Swabi Interchange and Shewa Adda area of Razaar tehsil.

Containers were placed at Swabi Interchange, Jahangira Bridge and the Indus River Bridge on the motorway. The PTI had earlier called on its supporters from across the province to reach Swabi Interchange as part of its plan for the protest march.

Internet and mobile phone services remained suspended in the district for the second day.

In Charsadda, 15 PTI workers were arrested. Police vans were seen patrolling different areas of Charsadda Bazaar.

In Bannu, the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) has postponed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and second annual examinations due to the prevailing law and order situation. New dates will be announced later.

Traffic was moving normally on roads across the district, with no major disruption to routine movement. Everyday activities continued as normal, with people going about their daily routines.

Markets in Wana, including Rustam Bazaar, remained open and traders continued their business activities. No major protests, significant disruptions to commercial activities or arrests were reported.

The situation remained generally calm despite the extraordinary administrative measures introduced at the provincial level.

In Dera Ismail Khan, the educational board postponed SSC examinations in line with decisions taken by other boards in KP. A new schedule will be announced later.

In Shangla, more than 24 PTI workers were taken into custody and further raids were ongoing.

Police have been directed to intensify patrolling along main roads and conduct strict snap-checking at all entry and exit points of the district. Bazaars remained open and residents continue their routine activities.

In Khyber, the situation remained comparatively quiet on Monday. Some PTI workers held a demonstration in Bara in the morning, but police took action and dispersed the protesters.

Overall, the situation remained calm and under control. All roads, including the main Peshawar-Torkham Highway, remained open.

In Mohmand, police were deployed at entry and exit points and key checkpoints across the district.

All public and private schools and colleges in the district remained closed. Examinations conducted by educational boards and universities continued as per their schedules.

In Lakki Marwat, asdecided by the divisional BISE, SSC annual examinations were postponed, with the new date to be announced later.

In Tank, the administration imposed a one-month ban on pillion riding across the district from Oct 10 to Nov 9.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2026