ISLAMABAD: The National Highways and Motorway Police has announced the reopening of all motorways under its jurisdiction after dense fog forced partial closures across several key routes early Monday. In a statement posted on X, the NHMP confirmed that traffic has resumed because visibility conditions have improved across affected sections.
Earlier in the morning, authorities closed portions of major motorways as thick and persistent fog reduced visibility to dangerous levels. The closures affected key routes, including sections of the M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5, and M-11. At around 10:25 am, the NHMP reported that the M-2 remained closed from Thokar Niaz Baig to Sial Mor, the M-3 from Faisal Pur to Darakhana and the M-4 from Shershah to Pindi Bhattian.
Meanwhile, the M-5 faced closures from Shershah to Zaheer Peer, while the M-11 remained shut from Lahore to Sambrial.
Officials later confirmed that conditions gradually improved. The NHMP subsequently reopened sections that had earlier remained closed, including the M-5 stretch from Rohri to Rahim Yar Khan, which authorities cleared after visibility returned to safer levels. Consequently, traffic began to normalize across the motorway network.
Fog forecast and safety concerns remain in focus
The Pakistan Meteorological Department had earlier warned that dense fog would persist until late morning on several routes, including the M-2 between Pindi Bhattian and Lahore, the M-3 between Lahore and Abdul Hakim, the M-11 between Sialkot and Lahore, the M-4 between Pindi Bhattian and Faisalabad, and the M-5 between Multan and Sukkur. Therefore, authorities maintained heightened vigilance throughout the morning hours.
Recent incidents have heightened concern over fog-related risks. Last week, authorities reported three deaths and 34 injuries in accidents linked to low visibility across Punjab. Earlier this month, severe fog also paralysed traffic and forced the closure of several major motorways, including the M-4 from Gojra to Abdul Hakim and the M-11 Lahore-Sialkot route. Officials continue to urge motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during fog and follow safety advisories strictly.
