COUNTRIES around the world use containers for trade and cargo services, as they provide a convenient way to hold a large number of different goods together. Their giant size and capac- ity facilitate the transportation of multiple goods at one time. This not only saves time but also reduces the cost of transport. For a long time in Pakistan, containers were used solely for the aforementioned purpose. However, nowadays, they are performing other roles besides those for which they were originally designed.
Containers are now being placed on streets and roads to stop protesters from moving towards their desired destinations. The government states that such action is taken to protect state and public property. On the other hand, the people of Pakistan, in mass protests, are chanting that this is not “Pakistan, but Containeristan” refer- ring to a land of containers.
On various platforms, especially social media, the people of Pakistan are questioning the authorities over the frequent use of shipping containers as a tool to control crowds of protesters by blocking key roads during recent protests and political gather- ings. These containers are now containing protesters, preventing them from exercis- ing their right to protest. It is now being said that Pakistan is the only country that uses containers not for trade but to block roads and halt protests.
Although it is the government’s respon- sibility to ensure safety, security and order, the question arises: is this the right way? Critics argue that halting protests by plac- ing containers in the way of protesters is a violation of Article 16 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which guarantees every citizen the right to pro- test peacefully, without arms, while adher- ing to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of public order.
However, the condition in this Article that citizens must abide by any reasonable restriction imposed by law contradicts the critics’ argument. To maintain law and or- der, prevent public unrest and address any potential threat to the state ahead of the visit of the President of Belarus, the government of Pakistan has made elaborate arrangements to defend against external aggression, threats of war and to aid civil power under the pro-
visions of Article 245 of the Constitution. Another important concern is that the federal government has already enforced Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 and the Peaceful As- sembly Act across the federal capital, pro- hibiting gatherings in restricted areas as part of tightened security measures.
A statement issued by the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) authorities, after enforcing Section 144 of the CrPC and the Peaceful Assembly Act, requested citizens not to engage in any unlawful gatherings, adding that legal action would be taken against those who attempted to disturb peace and order. Therefore, the government justifies the placement of containers along the Islamabad Expressway and at major, link, and service roads within the capital.
-The writer is contributing columnist, based in Shikarpur.
