The police and local administration on Sunday seized hundreds of containers to restrict the movement of workers and supporters of Tehreek-e-Labbaik across Punjab.
Pakistan Goods Transporters Association General Secretary Nabeel Mahmood Tariq said that police and administration have seized a number of containers from the association’s members.
“It is difficult to estimate the exact number of seized containers and trucks as the government has blacked out most information and communication channels, including news channels and the internet,” he highlighted.
He further added that the association was continuously receiving complaints that local administrations are impounding containers and trucks to block main roads in almost all parts of the province.
“Considering the current law and order situation in the country most goods transporters have already suspended their operations,” Tariq added.
Punjab Goods Transport Association General Secretary Javed Malik estimated that around 4,000 to 5,000 containers have been seized across Punjab. Most of these containers have been seized in the twin cities causing huge losses to transporters.
“The government and law enforcing agencies have made it a standard protocol to seize containers for blocking roads in any such situation. It seems that the government believes transporters are responsible for all protest and sit-ins in the country so it punishes them by closing their businesses,” he lamented.
Seized containers have been parked near important installations and VIP residences in the city, especially along the roads near Sharif family’s residences in Jati Umra and Model Town.
A police official said that the police have seized and parked containers near important installations as a precautionary measure.
Speaking to media outside Shahdara Police Station where protestors had attacked yesterday, City Police Division SP (Investigation), Syed Karrar Hussain said that the police and protestors have agreed that if the protestors remain peaceful the police will not intervene.
