Section of M5 Motorway Temporarily Closed Due to Heavy Fog

December 9, 2025 2:00 pm

A section of the M5 Motorway was temporarily closed due to heavy fog, causing significant travel disruption across southern Punjab. The closure, reported on Tuesday, affected the stretch from the Multan Sher Shah Interchange to Zahir Pir in Rahim Yar Khan, part of the critical Multan-Sukkur Motorway and the larger Lahore–Karachi Motorway network. Dense fog reduced visibility drastically, prompting the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of motorists.

NHMP spokesperson Imran Shah stated that authorities closed the motorway from 6:00 AM to 11:30 AM due to fog, creating high risks of lane violations and serious accidents. Authorities advise commuters to follow lane discipline during fog, use fog lights, maintain a safe distance, avoid unnecessary travel, and refrain from overspeeding. The closure forced many travelers to take a National Highway alternative route, causing heavy traffic congestion near interchanges, including Uch Sharif, Alipur, Muzaffargarh, Jalalpur Pirwala, Shujabad, and Zahir Pir.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast warned that foggy weather would persist across multiple areas of Punjab, including Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Multan, Faisalabad, Lahore, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha, and Jhelum, until Thursday. Similar winter weather conditions in January had previously caused M5 Motorway closures, flight and train delays, and widespread disruption. Authorities emphasized traveling only during safe daylight hours, particularly between 10 AM and 6 PM, to minimize risks.

Authorities urge motorists to monitor NHMP updates and follow official advisories closely. For travelers seeking alternate routes, detailed traffic diversion maps are available on the NHMP website. Those planning long-distance trips should also consider checking the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast for upcoming fog alerts.