Capital administration finally starts removing containers from roadsides

After the governor’s rule was imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad's chief of capital police initiated the removal of containers from roadsides. These containers had been brought into the city by the police to counter the protests led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The All Pakistan Goods Alliance, however, demanded that the police ensure payment before the containers were removed.

The authorities had sought a budget of over Rs820 million to cover one week's expenses related to the protest, including the cost of containers, vehicles, police lodgings, meals, and related infrastructure. About 1,550 containers were initially arranged, of which 1,077 were seized and impounded. The police station house officers (SHOs) were instructing drivers to remove the containers immediately, providing them with a stamped police station slip indicating the impounding date.

The alliance was uncertain about who would pay the rent and damages for the containers and vehicles. They demanded Rs40,000 and Rs20,000 in rent per day for 40 feet and 20 feet containers, respectively. The containers were placed on various roads, while the vehicles were impounded from different locations. The alliance also sought compensation for damages caused to the containers due to welding and hammering nails in them.

Once the deadlines for returning the containers to the shipping companies passed, they would charge $80 and $135 per day for 20 feet and 40 feet containers. The capital police promised to pay the rent, but the removal process began on Monday and was being coordinated with district authorities.