Container culture: The new normal in Islamabad

It was a frantic scene as the ambulance, with its sirens blaring, crawling through the congested streets of Islamabad.

A young woman in critical condition lay inside, fighting for her life. Every second mattered. But as they approached a major intersection, the road was blocked by containers placed for a political procession.

With no alternative route and precious minutes slipping away, the ambulance was stuck. Tragically, the woman never made it to the hospital in time.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, some might say Islamabad’s infamous container blockages are doing wonders for the economy.

After all, with thousands of cars stuck on Margalla Road and Srinagar Highway, the fuel stations are having a field day, raking in profits from drivers who now need to refill their tanks twice as often.

Tyre and car repair shops aren’t complaining either—why bother with smooth roads when potholes and prolonged traffic jams are a gold mine for business? And let’s not forget the pharmaceutical industry: stress-induced headaches and rising blood pressure mean more sales for Panadol and blood pressure medication.

Perhaps, we should just embrace it — after all, what's a little chaos when it keeps the economy ticking?

Scenes like these are becoming all too familiar in Islamabad. The capital city is frequently brought to a standstill by groups seeking attention for their cause.

Whether it’s political parties, unions, or activists, the method is often the same: block the roads, bring the city to a halt, and demand to be heard.

While their grievances may be legitimate, the cost of these disruptions is heavy – not just in human lives and personal opportunities lost, but also in economic terms.

The economic losses from these road blockages are staggering. With major arteries in Islamabad blocked, productivity takes a massive hit.

Professionals are delayed, appointments are missed, and businesses that rely on timely logistics suffer financially.

For daily wage earners, vendors, and small businesses, these disruptions can mean the difference between a good day’s earnings and going home empty-handed.

Commuters stuck in traffic also bear the brunt of increased fuel costs, while the environmental toll of idling vehicles adds another layer of damage.

On top of this, schools often announce unplanned holidays or call working parents to pick their children up earlier due to the traffic chaos, leaving parents scrambling to make arrangements.

For many, it’s a difficult situation as they juggle work commitments with the urgent need to collect their children.

Frequent road blockages can cost Islamabad and Rawalpindi millions of rupees in lost revenue, not to mention the cascading impact on sectors that rely on smooth transportation.

One can’t help but ask: is this the way a capital city should function? Islamabad, with its carefully planned roads and government offices, should symbolise governance, order, and stability.

Yet, the frequent blockage of roads by anyone with a grievance casts doubt on this ideal. In other countries, such as Germany and the United States, while protests are common, strict regulations are in place to ensure they don’t disrupt the lives of ordinary citizens.

Designated zones for demonstrations, coupled with heavy fines for blocking roads, mean that these countries manage to strike a balance between freedom of expression and maintaining public order.

Even in places like France, where protests are a cultural staple, careful planning ensures that the city doesn’t come to a grinding halt. Why, then, can Islamabad not implement similar measures?

This brings us to another pressing question: is blocking roads the only way to have voices heard in Pakistan? Historically, peaceful protests have played a vital role in bringing attention to causes. But road blockages, particularly in a city like Islamabad, often do more harm than good.

While they may succeed in grabbing the spotlight momentarily, they alienate the public, many of whom are directly affected by the disruptions. Is there no better, more constructive way for grievances to be aired without holding the city hostage?

The inability to manage these situations also raises serious concerns about governance. Allowing groups to block major roads with impunity signals a failure in governance and law enforcement.

Other countries have shown that protests and demonstrations can be managed in ways that don’t compromise public order.

Yet, Islamabad seems unable or unwilling to establish clear boundaries. This is not just an inconvenience – it is a reflection of a deeper governance issue, where the rights of a few are allowed to override the welfare of the many.

The Islamabad Traffic Police, despite their efforts, are overwhelmed by the scale of these blockages. Their attempts to manage the situation often fall short, leaving commuters stuck in gridlock for hours. It’s not a lack of will but possibly a lack of resources and strategic planning.

In cities like London or New York, traffic disruptions are minimised by rerouting systems, real-time communication, and a well-coordinated response.

Islamabad could learn from these cities, implementing better traffic management strategies to ensure smoother flow during such events.

Recent surveys among Islamabad's residents reflect this growing frustration. Eighty percent of businesses report a noticeable drop in foot traffic and sales on days when roads are blocked, while nearly all commuters report increased stress, frustration, and loss of time.

This isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s a crisis that affects everyone, from the daily wage earner to the business executive.

It’s time for Islamabad to rethink how it handles these situations. The right to protest is fundamental, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of the city’s functioning.

Other countries have found ways to balance these competing interests, and Islamabad must do the same.

Only then can the city truly live up to its status as the capital of Pakistan, a symbol of order, efficiency, and progress.

The writer is an Economist based in Islamabad. For insights and updates, follow on Twitter: @SalmanAneel or reach out via email at aneelsalman@gmail.com