A video has gone viral on the internet wherein dignified residents of Islamabad are seen protesting against a road blockade during PM’s move to Air Headquarters, Islamabad. Reportedly, PM’s entourage was forced to change its route.
This reminds me of another incident during General Pervez Musharraf’s tenure when a flat in Askari II, Scheme III, Rawalpindi, got burnt due to short circuiting but unfortunately a fire tender could not arrive in time because it was blocked on a VVIP route. I wrote a letter to an editor highlighting the plight of the occupants of the burnt out flat. General Pervez Musharraf took notice of my letter and a few days later, I read in the newspapers that he had ordered that the traffic be stopped for eight minutes and no more for his entourage. I once timed the blockade during one of his moves and found out that his orders were implemented in letter and spirit.
I live in Chaklala Cantonment, Rawalpindi, where at least twice a day we encounter VIP movements of CJCSC and COAS but the same are controlled in such a manner that the traffic is not blocked for more than five minutes at one time.
I suggest that the President, PM, Governors and Chief Ministers must endeavour not to inconvenience the public for too long a time during their moves. The hatred of the public against the VVIP culture is hitting the roof but it seems that our VVIPs are deaf and dumb till they are meted out the same treatment like Rehman Malik and Dr Ramesh.
MAJOR (retd) TALAAT KHURSHID
Rawalpindi