Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Pakistan Turns Islamabad Into ‘Containeristan’ Ahead of PTI March
Pakistan is putting many large shipping containers around its capital, Islamabad.
Officials are doing this before a planned protest by supporters of Imran Khan.
The protest is scheduled for 27 September and may begin in Karachi and Lahore.
Police and paramilitary forces are also being sent to the area.
Some containers have reportedly been welded together and fitted with metal spikes.
People in Pakistan call this practice “containerisation” or “Containeristan.”
The government says roads and public spaces cannot be occupied during protests, according to a recent court ruling.
Critics say using so many containers can block ordinary people and limit peaceful political dissent.
At least 2,000 shipping containers have reportedly been deployed around Islamabad to restrict movement before a 27 September PTI march.
The Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway, Islamabad-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, and Grand Trunk Road will be closed at several points.
More than 20,000 police personnel from Punjab and Sindh are being deployed, with Pakistan Rangers also called in.
The marches are expected to begin in Karachi and Lahore in support of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.
The long-standing use of containers to block protests has drawn criticism over public access, private property, and civil liberties.
- Who
- Supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, alongside Pakistani police, provincial authorities, and Pakistan Rangers.
- What
- Authorities are deploying thousands of personnel and at least 2,000 shipping containers to restrict access to Islamabad ahead of planned marches.
- When
- The marches are planned for 27 September; police announced road closures on Wednesday.
- Where
- Islamabad, with planned marches expected to set out from Karachi and Lahore; roads including the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway, Islamabad-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, and Grand Trunk Road will be affected.
- Why
- Authorities are seeking to control movement and prevent protesters from occupying roads and entering parts of Islamabad.
Authorities and Legal Restrictions
PTI Supporters and Civil-Liberties Critics
Blocking access to Islamabad
Authorities and Legal Restrictions
Authorities are closing major routes and erecting barriers to control movement before the planned marches; a recent Islamabad High Court ruling said political actors cannot legally occupy public roads and other listed public spaces during protests.
PTI Supporters and Civil-Liberties Critics
PTI supporters and critics argue that extensive container barriers restrict public protest and amount to silencing political dissent.
Use of private containers
Authorities and Legal Restrictions
Police and paramilitary forces requisition ordinary freight containers from private transport and logistics companies for security operations.
PTI Supporters and Civil-Liberties Critics
Critics question whether private owners are being properly compensated and have called for the publication of requisition orders, compensation rates, and payment status.
Scale of the security response
Authorities and Legal Restrictions
Authorities are deploying more than 20,000 police personnel and additional paramilitary forces alongside the barriers.
PTI Supporters and Civil-Liberties Critics
Critics describe the measures as evidence of a government relying on a “steel fortress” to prevent PTI supporters from reaching Islamabad.
- Reported containers
- At least 2,000 shipping containers have reportedly been deployed around Islamabad.
- Planned march
- Supporters of Imran Khan are expected to march on 27 September.
- Police deployment
- More than 20,000 police personnel from Punjab and Sindh are being deployed.
- Additional force
- Pakistan Rangers have been called in to Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Mianwali.
- Affected routes
- Several points on three major roads are scheduled to close.
- Container modifications
- Some containers have reportedly been welded together and fitted with outward-facing metal spikes.
- Legal context
- The Islamabad High Court recently ruled that political actors have no legal right to occupy public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas, or buildings during protests.