Motorways closed as thick fog paralyses Punjab’s road travel

LAHORE: Dense fog blanketed large parts of Punjab, including the provincial capital Lahore, late Saturday night and into Sunday morning, bringing routine life to a standstill and forcing the closure of several key motorways across the province. According to a Motorway Authority spokesperson, multiple motorways were shut for all types of traffic due to extremely low visibility. The affected routes include the M2 from Lahore to Kot Momin, the M3 from Lahore to Darkhana, the M4 between Pindi Bhattian and Faisalabad, and the M11 connecting Lahore with Sialkot. Motorway police advised travellers to use the Grand Trunk Road as an alternative and urged motorists to reduce speed and switch on fog lights while driving. Authorities also appealed to the public to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve. Traffic movement was also disrupted at several points along the National Highway, where dense fog significantly reduced visibility, causing delays and increasing the risk of accidents. Motorway Police spokesperson Syed Imran Ahmad warned that violating traffic lanes in foggy conditions could prove fatal. He advised drivers to plan journeys during daylight hours, noting that travel between 10 am and 6 pm is generally the safest during periods of dense fog. Authorities reiterated instructions for motorists to keep fog lights on, avoid overspeeding, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles as weather conditions continue to pose risks across the province.