Islamabad man stranded with ailing father amidst road closures

An Islamabad resident, desperate to get his ailing father to the hospital, encountered road blockades. 

The distressed man shared a video on X,  expressing frustration as he showed his father, who was wearing an oxygen mask, sitting beside him in the car.

The man was also carrying an oxygen cylinder and explained that he was struggling to reach the hospital amidst the road closures.

x.com

I know how I managed to take my father to hospital today. He was on emergency Oxygen already. I don’t know how many like me were in such troubles #Shameful #Containers #RastayKholo #Islamabad #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/bZwkTSlQCD

— MZR (@MZRAWAZ) November 23, 2024

The Islamabad police have closed the city's main entry and exit points, with Margalla Avenue barricaded using containers on both sides.

The National Highways Authority announced the closure of motorways for "road maintenance" starting Friday at 8 pm.

As a result, motorways leading to Islamabad have been completely closed to normal traffic, with diversions in place, such as directing vehicles to Thokar Niaz Baig and the Babusabu side. The motorways affected by these closures include:

M1: Peshawar to Islamabad

M2: Lahore to Islamabad

M3: Lahore to Abdul Hakeem

M4: Pindi Bhattian to Multan

M11: Sialkot to Lahore

M14: Yarik to Hakla

In addition, 15 critical routes within Islamabad have also been blocked, including Kati Pahari, Nicholson Monument, Paswal, Fatehjang Road, Margalla Avenue, Faizabad, and Barakahu.

Earlier, the Islamabad administration ordered the evacuation of all student hostels in the city on Friday. Meanwhile, the Punjab government imposed Section 144 across the province from November 23 to November 25, banning all protests, gatherings, rallies, sit-ins, and similar activities.

These blockages have caused immense difficulties for thousands of citizens, who are unable to reach their destinations, even in emergencies.