ISLAMABAD: The capital administration on Wednesday has removed all the containers from the Red Zone area after nearly 70 days, which had been placed in the light of protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

The routes leading from and to the capital's red zone had been blocked with containers since the second week of August this year in order to stop the protesters from entering the restricted areas.

However, PTI and PAT protesters had managed to enter into the blocked areas by removing the containers. Failing to stop the protesters, the Interior Ministry had later allowed the leadership of the protesting parties to stage their demonstrations near Aabpara. But the containers that were placed on the roads paving way into the red zone stayed put to avoid any mishap due to the ongoing Zarb-i-Azb operation against militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

After the announcement of PTI chief Imran Khan and firebrand cleric Tahirul Qadri on Aug 18 to take their protests further deep into the Red Zone, the protesters obliging their leaders' calls removed the containers put en route Radio Pakistan Chowk towards the Parliament House. But the capital's administration made sure the containers placed outside the Serena Hotel, Marriott Hotel and Margala Road remained.

Explore: Containing the march

As the confrontation between the government and the protesters over placing and removing containers continued, the government on Aug 30, against the backdrop of Khan and Qadri's call to lead their protest in the lawns of the Parliament House, took strict security measures and placed more containers on different roads near the Red Zone to ensure protection of the people residing in nearby localities.

With Qadri's departure to address a rally in Faisalabad, a great number of his supporters also left the protest venue. Around 200 participants of PAT are present outside the Parliament House as Qadri plans to reach the capital on Oct 16 only to leave the venue again to address another public rally in Lahore on Oct 19.

Although as the protest has entered into its 63rd day, the capital administration felt that it was time to remove the containers, including those placed to protect Margala road, Marriott and Serena hotels.

Also read: After containers: Trenches dug to block marchers

In the latest development, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan directed the authorities to remove containers from all roads in the capital except those on Constitution Avenue to discourage protesters from trying to approach the Prime Minister House.

Nisar has also issued directives to the city's administration to take steps for improvement of traffic flow in Islamabad. He has moreover asked the relevant authorities to facilitate residents in performing their daily activities.

According to residents of the twin cities, it was difficult for them to enter into the red zone to go to their offices.