• All Pakistan Goods Alliance demands assurance of payment before removal of containers
• Authorities decide to send back police personnel from Pindi to their respective districts

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI: A day after the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the chief of capital police ordered removal of all containers from Islamabad, brought in the city last month to counter the PTI’s long march-cum-protest.

However, the All Pakistan Goods Alliance demanded assurance of payment before the removal of the containers.

Earlier, the capital police sought seed money amounting to over Rs820 million to counter the PTI protest inside and around Islamabad, by blocking roads.

The amount was sought to bear one week’s expense in connection with the protest, including rent of containers, vehicles for transportation of the police, buildings for lodging the visiting police and three-time meals a day.

About 1,550 containers were arranged for the capital. Out of the total, police seized 1,077.

Talking to Dawn, Chairman All Pakistan Goods Alliance Nisar Hussain said now, the station house officers of police stations, who seized and impounded the containers and vehicles, and also restricted the movement of the crew were asking the drivers to remove their containers immediately.

The SHOs are giving a slip, with the stamp of the police station, saying the vehicle impounded is now released, he said, adding the slip also mentions the date of impounding the vehicle and container.

We are in the dark about who will pay the rent and damages, and to whom we should approach in this regard.

The alliance called a meeting to devise a strategy before removing the containers.

The capital police seized 1077 – 487 measured 40 feet and 590 were 20 feet – and as many vehicles. The first lot of container along with vehicles were impounded on September 9 and the last on September 25.

The alliance is demanding Rs40,000 and Rs20,000 per day rent for 40 feet and 20 feet containers, respectively.

The containers were put on different roads, while the vehicles were impounded from different locations. Besides, restrictions were also imposed on the movement of each vehicle’s three-member crew.

The alliance also demanded payments for damages to the containers, caused due to joining of the containers through welding and hammering nails in them, he said, adding that there is also a deadline to return the containers to the shipping companies.

He said once the deadlines passed, the companies would charge $80 and $135 per day for 20 feet and 40 feet containers.

“We have to pay the damages and rent to the shipping companies which own the containers if the police or government did not pay,” he added.

Besides, we have to arrange lifters to lift the containers and put them on a vehicle, he said, adding that the one day rent of the lifter is Rs100,000.

Moreover, cranes had to be arranged for lifting the containers loaded with goods, which are over 100. An hour’s rent of the crane is Rs18,000. Besides, the tyres of the vehicles impounded by the police have either been punctured or lost air.

The capital police’s Public Relation Branch said the inspector general of police ordered removal of the containers placed on the roads.

In a meeting with the goods alliance on September 22, the police chief said the containers’ rent will be paid.

Withdrawal of police

Authorities have decided to send back the additional police called to assist the local police to their respective districts in three phases.

However, the Riot Management Force (RMF) will remain permanently deployed at its deployment sites in the twin cities until further notice.

More than 29,000 personnel were deployed in Attock, about 22,000 in Islamabad and over 5,000 in Rawalpindi to assist the district police after the PTI announced a protest march to the federal capital.

Police sources said the situation had returned to normality after the imposition of the governor’s rule and emergency in KP and the additional police force would be sent back to their areas.

It has been learnt that a guideline had been issued from the highest level to the commanders of the force to strictly implement the time and the withdrawal plan being finalised by the CPO.

The schedule for the return of the police personnel was being finalised in consultation with the concerned officers.

Removal of containers, heavy trailers and other temporary obstructions from blocking points shall also be carried out in phases in coordination with the concerned district and relevant agencies.

The removal of containers and temporary barriers installed at various locations was started on Monday.

It is learnt that the senior police commanders have also been instructed to maintain security and operational readiness until the withdrawal process is completed.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2026