Most public and private educational institutions across Lahore were abruptly closed on Friday after widespread road blockades caused severe disruptions across the provincial capital.

 

According to reports, authorities made the decision due to ongoing road closures and growing security concerns following calls for a protest rally by Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

 

The TLP is looking to protest against Israel in the federal capital, aiming to travel to Islamabad from across the country. A police crackdown on the religio-political party’s headquarters in Lahore also turned violent on Wednesday night with at least seven injured.

 

Officials have enforced strict security measures, shutting down several major routes in Lahore as well as Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

 

Key highways, including the Lahore–Islamabad Motorway and the GT Road, faced multiple blockades that severely disrupted intercity travel. Authorities also sealed major entry points such as Baboo Sabu and Thokar Niaz Baig in Lahore, while all motorway access routes in Islamabad also remained closed, creating massive traffic jams. Lahore’s Orange Line service has also been suspended.

 

Key arteries, including Murree Road and Iran Avenue have also been sealed in the federal capital, along with entry and exit points to the Red Zone.

 

Traffic diversions are in place across Faizabad, Rawal Dam Chowk, Garden Flyover and major intersections, with alternate routes advised via Park Road, Srinagar Highway, Lehtrar Road and Captain Naeem Tufail Shaheed Chowk.

 

Airport access is limited to Kashmir Chowk and Srinagar Highway, whereas public transport has been severely impacted, with all metro services suspended. Feeder routes are also offline.

 

The closures also spread to other major routes, including Muridke, Channab Nagar, Gujrat and Jhelum Bridge.

 

Traffic flow also remains restricted on routes leading to Sialkot and Rawat.

 

To maintain order, the Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province for ten days, banning public gatherings of four or more people in streets, neighborhoods and open areas. However, the restriction does not apply to prayers, weddings, funerals, offices or courts.

 

The government has also banned the public display of firearms across the province.

 

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered the suspension of mobile internet services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has indefinitely enforced the suspension.