Container Seizures Disrupt Food, Medicine Supplies in Rawalpindi, Islamabad
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Goods transporters and wholesale dealers have raised concerns over the reported seizure of around 1,000 containers, trailers, trucks and other heavy vehicles in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, saying the action has disrupted supplies of food, medicines and other essential goods ahead of planned protest marches.
Container Seizures Disrupt Food, Medicine Supplies in Rawalpindi, Islamabad
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Goods transporters and wholesale dealers have raised concerns over the reported seizure of around 1,000 containers, trailers, trucks and other heavy vehicles in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, saying the action has disrupted supplies of food, medicines and other essential goods ahead of planned protest marches.
Vehicles carrying vegetables, fruits, dry fruits, medicines and other goods have been caught up in the seizures. Traders warned that some perishable items had begun deteriorating and could become unfit for sale if they remained inside containers for an extended period.
The disruption comes as authorities prepare for multiple planned marches towards the federal capital. Transporters say concerns that additional trucks could be seized have led operators to stop sending heavy vehicles into the twin cities and, in some cases, move them to areas away from major routes.
As a result, the arrival of goods at wholesale markets in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has been affected. The Tribune reported that supplies originating from Karachi, Faisalabad and Sargodha had been suspended, while containers positioned around Faizabad, Rawat and other locations were affecting the movement of goods to surrounding districts.
Wholesale Dealers Association Vice President Sajid Khan said supplies of vegetables, fruits, meat and milk from several cities had been disrupted. He urged authorities to release vehicles and allow perishable goods to be unloaded before they spoil.
Traders warned that if the disruption continues for another 72 hours, supplies of vegetables, fruits, pulses, sugar and flour could tighten and prices could increase. Claims about the scale of possible price increases are projections from industry representatives and cannot yet be treated as confirmed market outcomes.
The impact is also being felt by workers involved in the transport and wholesale sectors, with the Tribune reporting that thousands of people involved in loading and unloading goods have been left without work because of the slowdown. Container rental rates have also reportedly begun rising.
The dispute is not limited to wholesalers. Goods transport organisations have protested the use and seizure of commercial vehicles. Dawn separately reported concerns from transporters over the government’s seizure of trucks, while an earlier report said the All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association had complained that around 100 container vehicles had been taken into custody from areas including Sangjani and Tarnol ahead of possible September 27 political activity.
Goods Transport Federation Vice President Haji Iqbal said the sector was already under pressure from higher petrol and diesel costs and warned that continued vehicle seizures could further damage transport businesses. The federation has sent letters to the prime minister and Punjab chief minister seeking the release of the vehicles, .
The situation remains developing. The reported figure of nearly 1,000 seized containers and vehicles comes from transporters and wholesale representatives and should remain attributed unless authorities provide an independently verifiable inventory.
