Imran Khan rally looms amid Islamabad containers

Islamabad's streets are frequently lined with shipping containers as a precaution against protests. These steel barriers, placed along key routes, restrict demonstrators' movement and guide them away from sensitive areas. Recently, ahead of a march by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan demanding his release, containers have been deployed once again.

The march, originally scheduled for September 27, has been postponed to October 4. However, the containers remain in place along roads leading to the Red Zone, which houses Parliament, government offices and foreign embassies. Imran Khan, a former cricket star turned politician, has been imprisoned since 2023 and is serving multiple prison sentences on corruption charges. His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party claims the convictions are politically motivated.

The containers, easily spotted amidst Islamabad's green hills and tree-lined avenues, create a stark contrast. Some sit beside busy roads, ready to be moved, while others are stacked high or positioned across traffic lanes, turning broad avenues into narrow passages. It appears as though an entire city is made up of these containers.

Sahiba Bibi, a resident, noted that the disruption began before the demonstrators even set out for Islamabad from across the country, especially from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Khan's party governs. The top leadership of Khan's party announced the postponement due to authorities blocking key approaches to the capital, including Attock Bridge, a major crossing for convoys from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Even where roads were open, preparations narrowed traffic lanes and created long lines of vehicles. Commuters searched for alternate routes, while shopkeepers along potential protest paths considered closing their businesses to avoid damage. Authorities claim they pay rent to truck owners for using the containers, but some drivers report being stopped by police, having their vehicles seized and keys taken.

Rehmat Gul, a container-truck driver, detailed how police stopped him and took his keys before impounding his truck, which was later placed on a road near Rawalpindi. Fuel prices have nearly doubled due to tensions between the United States and Iran, causing further strain for residents who must now travel longer distances to reach work or school.

For many Islamabad residents, the containers signify that another political confrontation is imminent, and daily life may be disrupted. The government argues that the precautions are necessary, as PTI has a history of disruption and vandalism during protests, and its supporters would not be permitted to enter the capital. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated this during a press conference in Peshawar. However, KT's party leadership maintains that its rally is peaceful and aims to demand Khan's release.