Goods transporters have demanded the immediate release of hundreds of vehicles and containers detained by police in Islamabad and Rawalpindi ahead of a planned political protest on September 27.
President of the Goods Transport Ittehad, Malik Shahzad Awan, said Islamabad and Punjab police had reportedly taken around 700 vehicles and containers into custody. He urged the federal and Punjab governments to release the vehicles immediately, warning that prolonged detention could cause serious financial losses to transporters and damage the goods being carried.
According to the transporters, a significant portion of the detained cargo consists of food items, medicines and supplies used by key industries. Awan expressed concern that perishable and temperature-sensitive goods could deteriorate if the containers remain parked for an extended period.
The transporters said their commercial vehicles should not be used for political or security-related activities. They argued that goods carriers are an important part of the national supply chain and that stopping them disrupts legitimate trade and economic activity.
Earlier, transporters’ representatives had also raised concerns over the detention of containers in Islamabad. The All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association said hundreds of commercial vehicles had been stopped in different areas of the capital, including Sangjani, Tarnol, Sihala and I-9.
Transporters have also demanded transparency over the vehicles being held and called for the authorities to take responsibility for any damage or losses suffered by cargo during the detention. They have warned that further action could be announced if the vehicles are not released.
The dispute comes as authorities prepare security arrangements for the planned September 27 protest. Transporters maintain that their vehicles are meant for carrying commercial cargo and should not be diverted from their normal economic role.
