PTI protesters block K-P highways over IK's health

PESHAWAR:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and supporters have blocked major highways and motorways across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in protest against the alleged denial of access to jailed party founder Imran Khan, including meetings with his family, lawyers, sisters, and personal physicians.

The demonstrations, which began last night, have severely disrupted traffic, isolating the province from Punjab and other regions.

Long queues of vehicles have formed on the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway near the Sabzi Mandi Interchange, as well as on key routes such as the Dera Ismail Khan-Bhakkar Road, Lakki Marwat-Mianwali Road, Hazara Motorway, Abbottabad-Havelian Interchange, and Kohat-Pindi Road.

Commuters, including women, children, and patients, are stranded for hours, facing acute hardships amid the blockades. Residents expressed widespread frustration and anger, with many questioning why the province's people, who overwhelmingly voted for PTI, are bearing the brunt of the protests.

"People voted for PTI in this province, so why are ordinary citizens being punished like this? one stranded traveler remarked. Critics argued that if protests are necessary, they should target Islamabad or other federal areas rather than disrupting provincial life.

Provincial authorities have so far remained largely silent spectators, with no immediate intervention reported to reopen the routes.

PTI leaders and activists insist the blockades will continue until Imran Khan is granted unrestricted access to his family and personal medical team. They emphasized that no compromise would be made on his health, amid ongoing concerns about his vision and overall well-being in Adiala Jail.

The protests align with broader PTI demands nationwide, including recent rallies and sit-ins in other cities over similar grievances regarding Khan's detention conditions and medical care.

The situation has heightened public discontent, with commuters urging both the party and authorities to resolve the impasse swiftly to restore normal movement.