What’s the situation across KP on Day 1 of governor’s rule?

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

Scores of PTI workers have also been held in some districts, including Shangla and Charsadda.

Here is what the situation looks like on the ground in several districts across the province, according to information gathered by Dawn correspondents.

Peshawar

Law and order

• Police personnel remain present on roads, with heavier deployment where the Cantonment limit begins
• Cops at some places seem alert, with batons in hands

Road blockades

• All entry and exit points to Peshawar Cantt remain closed, with police deployed in the surrounding area.
• Entry is not allowed on Khyber Road, with traffic diverted towards Khyber Bazar, Ramdas and Bhana Marhi Chungi. Roads leading to Saddar from Warsak and Shami Road are also blocked with containers.
• University Road is blocked near Tehkal, close to the Cantt limits.
• The GT Road entrance at Pir Zakori is closed. The blockage at Firdous Chowk also remains in place.
• Railway Road leading to Shoba Bazar and Dabgari Garden is closed, as well as Sher Shah Suri Road.
• Shami Road, which was open until yesterday, and Chirgano Chowk are also blocked, according to a rickshaw driver.
• No blockages have been reported on the routes connecting Peshawar with Khyber district, Kohat and Nowshera.

• To reach the Cantt 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 he had to turn back midway after finding roads leading to Saddar from Warsak and Shami Road blocked with containers.

Traffic situation

• Traffic is normal on Kohat Road, Charsadda Road and GT Road, although the latter is nearly deserted near the closed entrance at Pir Zakori.
• The City Circular Road, which runs along the outer edges of the old city wall, is usually heavily congested. Today, however, traffic is light despite the road being dug up for construction. It appears that most people are staying home.

School closures

Mardan

School closures

• All government and private educational institutions, including schools, colleges and universities, remain closed today.
• All examinations and papers scheduled for today have been cancelled.

Routine activities

• Everyday activities continue as normal, with residents going about their daily routines.
• Markets in Wana, including Rustam Bazaar, remain open and traders continue their business activities.
• No major protests, significant disruptions to commercial activities or arrests have been reported.
• The situation remains generally calm despite the extraordinary administrative measures introduced at the provincial level.