Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US Special Representative for Afghanistan, has criticised the situation in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, referring to the city as “Containerabad” in response to reports of road closures and restrictions on movement.
The comments come as Pakistani authorities have blocked or restricted major routes leading to Islamabad with containers and other barriers, reportedly to prevent supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party from entering the capital.
Reuters has reported that the measures have disrupted traffic in the city and affected the movement of goods between Karachi and northern parts of Pakistan.
The Associated Press has also reported that the widespread presence of shipping containers on roads in Islamabad, particularly on routes leading to the Red Zone, has caused traffic congestion and made it more difficult for residents to move around the city.
