The Peshawar High Court has ordered the immediate reopening of roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressing strong displeasure over prolonged blockades caused by ongoing protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The two-page written order was issued after a hearing on a petition filed against the road closures, which the court said had caused severe hardship to the public.

The bench directed authorities to remove all obstacles from roads the same day and restore traffic without delay.

The petition was filed by Swabi resident Yousaf Ali through advocate Hafiz Fazl-ur-Rehim.

The case was heard by Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Farrukh Jamshed, who summoned the provincial chief secretary and the Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police in person.

During the hearing, Justice Ejaz Anwar remarked that roads must be reopened immediately, observing that people were facing immense difficulties and that lives were reportedly being lost due to blocked routes.

“The entire country is open, but only our province has been shut down,” he observed.

The court questioned the authorities about how many FIRs had been registered against those responsible for blocking roads and what action had been taken so far.

The advocate-general informed the bench that time was required to compile data, including details of earlier cases.

However, the court said it was concerned with the current situation and sought details of concrete action taken by the provincial government.

Expressing dissatisfaction, the court noted that while law enforcement agencies act swiftly when required, the ongoing disruption was causing suffering to ordinary citizens.

The written order stated that officials failed to satisfy the court regarding action against protesters and expressed regret over the response submitted by the police and the provincial government.

The IG informed the court that roads had been blocked at 16 places over the past three days, of which 10 had already been reopened.

He added that some highways fall under the NHA jurisdiction, requiring formal references for action.

The court observed that at a time when the province was already facing security challenges, it was inappropriate to add to public difficulties.

Justice Ejaz Anwar remarked that while protest is a democratic right, causing hardship to citizens is not justified.

He shared that even his own children had to return home due to road closures.

Following assurances from the IG that all roads would be reopened the same day and that key highways, including motorways, would not be allowed to be blocked in the future, the court adjourned the hearing and directed the administration to take immediate steps to restore traffic flow.