Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers staged a protest near the Swabi interchange on Tuesday, resulting in a severe traffic jam.
The demonstrators blocked both sides of the motorway, causing long lines of stranded vehicles.
According to motorway police, the stretch of the M-1 Motorway at the Swabi interchange (417 km) remains closed.
PTI workers from Nowshera and Charsadda also joined the protest, converging at the interchange.
PTI leader Ahmed Khan Niazi is expected to arrive soon to address the crowd.
The closure of the motorway has caused severe difficulties for travellers, as normal traffic flow has been disrupted.
The protest comes amid planned wider demonstrations by PTI, including a coordinated blockade of the Swabi Motorway segment as part of a campaign demanding the release of Imran Khan.
The motorway police said that efforts are underway to manage the situation and restore normal movement.
Earlier, section 144 was enforced in Islamabad and Rawalpindi after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi called for a protest demanding Imran Khan’s release.
Following the KP chief minister’s call for protest, Islamabad and Rawalpindi administrations imposed a complete ban on protests, rallies, sit-ins, and public gatherings.
The district administrations have announced to proceed with legal measures against protestors and urged citizens to avoid participating in any unlawful gatherings.