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The National Highway Authority (NHA) has suggested renaming Islamabad’s well-known T-Chowk situated at the intersection of G.T. Road and Islamabad Expressway to Potohar Chowk, reflecting the regional identity of the Potohar plateau. The proposal emphasizes that the letter “T” holds no local relevance and that the area represents the cultural and geographical heart of Potohar.
T-Chowk serves as a critical junction connecting Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and the southern regions of Punjab. The intersection has often been associated with traffic congestion and ongoing development works, including the Rs. 1.4 billion flyover project currently being executed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to ease traffic flow.
In an official communication to the CDA, the NHA stated that it has completed an upgradation of G.T. Road (N-5) from T-Chowk to Lalazar, which has now been officially designated as Potohar Avenue. The new naming convention is intended to create consistency and convenience for daily commuters.
“It is therefore strongly recommended that, for the ease of commuters, easy reference, and to enhance the area’s identity, ‘T-Chowk’ be renamed as ‘Potohar Chowk,’” the NHA letter read.
A senior CDA official, while speaking to Dawn, mentioned that the matter would be forwarded to the Interior Ministry and the federal government for final approval.
“Once the flyover is complete, we will consider renaming the intersection. The name T-Chowk will eventually be replaced, but the final title will be determined by the federal authorities,” the official added.
The renaming aligns with the NHA’s broader vision to standardize road names and enhance regional representation in infrastructure titles. If approved, Potohar Chowk will symbolize the cultural unity of the Islamabad Rawalpindi region and reflect its geographical identity as part of the Potohar plateau.
