It seems like Islamabad has undergone a sudden industrial transformation. A global distribution hub waiting to happen.
Whatever the reason, I think Islamabad looks like the headquarters of the world’s biggest logistics giant. Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, Evergreen; you name it.
The capital has no coastline, but parts of the city have looked increasingly similar to a container terminal since last week.
Transporters earlier told ProPakistani that Islamabad police have held nearly 1,000 commercial containers ahead of planned political protests this month. According to the freight sector, many of the vehicles are being used for road blockades. So cargo movement is essentially blocked.
But the result is an unusual sight. A city known for its greenery, wide roads and government buildings is now lined with rows of shipping containers. There is a serious business issue behind the irony.
Transporters say the detained containers have remained parked for around two weeks, with some carrying valuable commercial cargo. The All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Association has estimated losses of around Rs. 20,000 per container per day and has sought roughly Rs. 280 million in compensation.
The freight sector has also raised concerns about cargo security and the financial costs of keeping commercial vehicles idle.
This is Not Simply a Question of Containers
Every container represents a truck, a driver, a transporter, cargo and a supply chain that is supposed to keep moving. When those assets sit on Islamabad’s roads instead, the economic cost does not stop at the capital’s intersections.
The timing makes the situation even more unusual.
One political party has announced a protest to help bring down the petroleum levy, while another group plans a big gathering next week for another reason.
Security preparations may be necessary for large gatherings. But Islamabad’s container transformation also shows the other side of the equation: securing roads can carry a cost for the businesses whose vehicles are being used.
For now, the capital remains firmly landlocked.
But with enough containers on its roads, Islamabad is certainly doing a convincing job of looking like a very busy port. This is a brilliant business idea.
The views expressed here belong to the author.
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