LAHORE: Dense fog continued to disrupt road traffic across large parts of Punjab on Tuesday, forcing authorities to partially close several key motorways and raising serious safety concerns for motorists.
According to a spokesperson for the National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP) Central Region, visibility dropped sharply in the evening, prompting the closure of the M-4 Motorway from Gojra to Abdul Hakeem and the M-11 Lahore–Sialkot Motorway for all types of traffic around 8pm. The closures were imposed as a precautionary measure to prevent accidents amid near-zero visibility conditions.
Additional restrictions were placed on heavy vehiclesawlA vehilces due to the heightened risk posed by fog. Authorities closed the M-4 section from Pindi Bhattian to Abdul Hakeem for heavy traffic, while the M-5 Motorway from Rahim Yar Khan to Rohri was also shut for large vehicles. These measures led to delays in intercity travel and disruptions in freight movement, particularly for transporters relying on night-time travel.
The hazardous weather conditions also resulted in fatal accidents on non-motorway roads. In Layyah, a loader rickshaw collided with a parked truck on Nawan Kot Road due to poor visibility. The crash claimed the life of 20-year-old Muhammad Shan, while three other passengers sustained injuries. Rescue 1122 teams reached the site and shifted the injured to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Choubara, where they were provided medical treatment.
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The Layyah incident was part of a broader pattern of fog-related road emergencies reported across Punjab over the past 24 hours. According to the Emergency Services Department (Rescue 1122 Punjab), rescue teams responded to a total of 1,081 road traffic crashes during this period. These incidents resulted in 24 fatalities and left 1,251 people injured.
Rescue officials said that 521 victims who sustained serious injuries were shifted to various hospitals for treatment, while 730 individuals with minor injuries were provided first aid at the scene. The data highlighted ongoing road safety challenges, particularly under adverse weather conditions.
Of the injured, 521 victims with serious injuries were taken to hospitals, while 730 individuals with minor injuries treated on the spot by Rescue 1122 medical teams.https://t.co/kcDoSF9YDw
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 7, 2026
An analysis of the reported crashes showed that motorcycles were involved in approximately 70 per cent of the incidents, underscoring the vulnerability of two-wheeler riders on foggy roads. Lahore recorded the highest number of accidents, with 184 crashes affecting 216 people. Multan followed with 71 crashes involving 78 victims, while Faisalabad reported 59 incidents that injured 61 people.
Authorities urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during foggy conditions, reduce speed, maintain safe distances and use fog lights where available. The NHMP advised commuters to stay informed about road conditions and follow official guidance to ensure safety until visibility improves.
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