Goods transport owners demand release of containers seized by Islamabad police

Goods transport owners demand release of containers seized by Islamabad police.

Key points

• Kalbe Ali Published September 9, 2026 Updated September 9, 2026 11: 56pm.
• He remarked that around 100 container vehicles had been taken into custody from different areas of Islamabad, mainly Sangjani and Tarnol, the statement stated.
• Kalbe Ali is a senior staff reporter for Dawn based in Islamabad, with almost 20 years of field reporting experience.
• "The containers were being kept to possibly to block roads during the anticipated protest."
• The association additionally cautioned the administration against impounding the vehicles, saying their forced apply for political purposes created "an impression of state coercion".

Kalbe Ali Published September 9, 2026 Updated September 9, 2026 11: 56pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

ISLAMABAD: Goods transporters on Wednesday demanded that the Ministry of Interior release containers detained by Islamabad police ahead of the PTI's scheduled Islamabad long march at the end of the month.

Notably, the PTI, with the confidence and backing of the opposition alliance – Tehreek-I-Tahaffuz Ayeen-I-Pakistan (TTAP) – has confirmed a long march towards Islamabad against what it calls the "illegal" detention of party founder and ex-premier Imran Khan and to demand his release.

In practice, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday decided to form a larger bench to hear a petition against the PTI's planned protest, terming the matter sensitive and observing that it could have constitutional implications.

In an official note on Wednesday, All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association President Muhammad Owais Chaudhry expressed concern over the seizure of container vehicles by Islamabad police, saying that the vehicles and containers should not be applied for political purposes or to block roads during feasible political activity on September 27.

"What we demand is that there are a large number of containers available for rent in and around the federal capital – the Islamabad police or the administration should rent empty containers and use them as they wish, " Chaudhry was quoted as saying.

While containers had allegedly been removed from certain vehicles, causing financial losses and business difficulties for their owners, he continued that some impounded vehicles had reportedly been parked in deserted areas.

"We had to facilitate the transporters in removing the goods from the containers – because the authorities do not take responsibility for the loss or damage to the cargo, " he continued.

While a number of others remained in police custody, meanwhile, the association remarked it had received complaints from transporters alleging that some seized vehicles and containers were issued after funds was paid.

It demanded a transparent investigation into the allegations and remarked the transporters had political affiliations on an individual basis. As the commercial vehicles were meant for trade and economic activity, "not for safety and security purposes of the police department", their opposition to the impounding of vehicles, it continued, should not be construed as a political link with the PTI.

Meanwhile, the association additionally cautioned the administration against impounding the vehicles, saying their forced apply for political purposes created "an impression of state coercion".

Kalbe Ali is a senior staff reporter for Dawn based in Islamabad, with almost 20 years of field reporting experience. As well as religious affairs, he covers a diverse range of topics, including the internet, IT and telecom sectors.

For now, goods transport owners demand release of containers seized by Islamabad police remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.