63 days of protest: Islamabad admin removes containers from Red Zone

Irfan Haider Published October 15, 2014

ISLAMABAD: The capital administration on Wednesday has removed all the containers from the Red Zone area after nearly 70 days, which had been placed in the light of protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

The routes leading from and to the capital's red zone had been blocked with containers since the second week of August this year in order to stop the protesters from entering the restricted areas.

However, PTI and PAT protesters had managed to enter into the blocked areas by removing the containers. Failing to stop the protesters, the Interior Ministry had later allowed the leadership of the protesting parties to stage their demonstrations near Aabpara. But the containers that were placed on the roads paving way into the red zone stayed put to avoid any mishap due to the ongoing Zarb-i-Azb operation against militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

After the announcement of PTI chief Imran Khan and firebrand cleric Tahirul Qadri on Aug 18 to take their protests further deep into the Red Zone, the protesters obliging their leaders' calls removed the containers put en route Radio Pakistan Chowk towards the Parliament House. But the capital's administration made sure the containers placed outside the Serena Hotel, Marriott Hotel and Margala Road remained.

Explore: Containing the march

As the confrontation between the government and the protesters over placing and removing containers continued, the government on Aug 30, against the backdrop of Khan and Qadri's call to lead their protest in the lawns of the Parliament House, took strict security measures and placed more containers on different roads near the Red Zone to ensure protection of the people residing in nearby localities.

With Qadri's departure to address a rally in Faisalabad, a great number of his supporters also left the protest venue. Around 200 participants of PAT are present outside the Parliament House as Qadri plans to reach the capital on Oct 16 only to leave the venue again to address another public rally in Lahore on Oct 19.

Although as the protest has entered into its 63rd day, the capital administration felt that it was time to remove the containers, including those placed to protect Margala road, Marriott and Serena hotels.

Also read: After containers: Trenches dug to block marchers

In the latest development, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan directed the authorities to remove containers from all roads in the capital except those on Constitution Avenue to discourage protesters from trying to approach the Prime Minister House.

Nisar has also issued directives to the city's administration to take steps for improvement of traffic flow in Islamabad. He has moreover asked the relevant authorities to facilitate residents in performing their daily activities.

According to residents of the twin cities, it was difficult for them to enter into the red zone to go to their offices.

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pakman

Oct 15, 2014 02:39pm

Watch him go, scott free that is. Our trust on justice system is weakened by the likes of predecessors, had high hopes from him, alas.

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raza

Oct 15, 2014 02:44pm

I would not trust Qadri nor IK as both have not been very honest to begin with.

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AJamal

Oct 15, 2014 03:52pm

What these containers have achieved except pain for the ordinary citizens.

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Gulfy

Oct 15, 2014 04:19pm

@AJamal - we should thank God Almighty SWT that during the so-called protest, the extremists stayed away. Can you imagine if the containers were not there and a car bomb type thing happened, who would be blamed for not doing enough to protect the residents of those areas?

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rony

Oct 15, 2014 04:25pm

great containers for crowd controll rather then export goods

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ahmed

Oct 15, 2014 04:37pm

Imran Khan and Qadri should be prosecuted and made to pay the full cost to Pakistan as a result of their mischievous actions. Only then will they understand that they are not above the law and they will be punished through fines and imprisonment for the huge cost paid by Pakistan as a result of their reckless and self-serving actions..

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Talat Mahmood

Oct 15, 2014 04:51pm

@ahmed ,sad to read your reckless views reflecting very much typically N league approach?

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Mohsin

Oct 15, 2014 05:08pm

@raza better to trust Qadri and IK instead of trusting NS and Zardari corrupt people.

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Benaam

Oct 15, 2014 05:25pm

That place had become Containeristan. Let's wait for the response and next steps from Imran Khan and Qadri. Hopefully this time, the next step is not as lame as civil disobedience.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Oct 15, 2014 05:46pm

What other options do they have?

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Benaam

Oct 15, 2014 06:14pm

Will there be any takers for the container where Imran Khan danced and have his fiery speeches? May be these can be auctioned and money used for the poor.

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Jawad

Oct 15, 2014 07:16pm

@ahmed Before asking IK to pay up ----- ask sharif family and Zardari to ATLEAST pay the taxes. ( to begin with ) then may be we can talk about all the money they accumulated -- how? --- where is the money coming for Bilawal houses in every state? NS and their kids properties in England ? Etc etc etc.

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Junaid

Oct 15, 2014 07:54pm

@raza as if PMLN and PPP wrote a book on honesty, correct? They have been in power several times in last 65 years. Where have they Pakistan to? Is your life better compare to same counties who got independence round about 60 to 65 year back. Do not judge IK or TQ before you actually see them not performing. At least we call all say that about PML N and PPP because we have seen it. They have failed.

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responsible

Oct 15, 2014 08:05pm

Finally, government has been understood that the sit-ins are peaceful and do not harm the common man. Appreciation of ground facts by government now is good. Here, I would say that it is better to come late than never.

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Mohammed A. Sukhera-USA

Oct 15, 2014 08:23pm

IK and Qadri created a big Fitna in the country. They broke the law by entering the restricted areas and tried to capture the PM House and the Parliament building. The attorney General of Pakistan who is in charge to prosecute law breakers did not do anything to bring charges against these criminals. Some time I wonder, are these officials incompetent, lazy or have no direction to protect the country. I don't why they are getting paid by sleeping on the job.

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Kanwarch

Oct 15, 2014 08:27pm

@Benaam if you research you will find out that these containers belong to one of the corrupt politicians of PML or PPP who are making money by renting these out to govt. God help Pakistan

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raza

Oct 15, 2014 09:33pm

@Mohsin The fact is that IK and Qadri proof to be of the same lot.

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Nessar

Oct 16, 2014 12:54am

@Mohammed A. Sukhera-USA ........whereas the Sharif's, Bhutto's and Zardari's are like angels and this is why Pakistan is like Jannat on earth!

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krishna prasad Toronto

Oct 16, 2014 02:05am

After 63 days of protests - I ask IK and Qadri - what have they achieved? These leaders prevented Chinese president to come and discuss some investment support measures. The constitution and democracy can n't be derailed by protests/ dharnas at the parliament. If these leaders showed some maturity - and awakened the opposition to help them streamline electoral system, possibly some winds of change could be seen. With the arrival of 3rd empire and riding on his back, once the whole truth came out from Hashmi- everyone including 3rd empire huddled together and tried to get out of the game plan they themselves got trapped into. All the while, PM - Nawz couldn't open his mouth (it was shut for the fear of democracy derailment by 3rd empire) and when the whole opposition stood-by him - he mustered the courage and called a spade a spade. Now, no where to go- these leaders ditched all the protesters and opened another front to save their dirty faces. Game up- Boys, grow up and behave as an adult.

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Sunil

Oct 16, 2014 10:13am

The 63 day's sit in drama was obviously stag managed. The administration was in state of self imposed paralysis. What could be done yesterday could as well be done much earlier.

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