One needs to ask that why was the Expressway closed down for anyone’s movement.
ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to a report in your newspaper of June 20, which said that a woman was hit by the squad car of a VIP motorcade in Islamabad. In the first instance, one needs to ask that why was the Expressway closed down for anyone’s movement. It has a total of five lanes and the one running alongside the median can be used for overtaking. Furthermore, the speed limit on the Expressway is 70-80 kilometres per hour for light traffic and again the question is that are our so-called VIPs exempted from this law?
The traffic police need to ensure, without disturbing the flow of normal traffic, that this lane is used only by ambulances, fire engines and VIPs. Squads of lesser VIPs often use the two other lanes and tell the drivers using them to get out of the way, and they usually do this by pointing their weapons at the people in other cars.
At least in this case, the naval authorities had the moral courage to look into the matter. One hopes that they will compensate the family of the deceased woman.
If the CDA plans roads as per need and the traffic authorities care more for enforcement of traffic laws, there would not be any need for stopping the traffic for the VIPs. If the latter feel insecure they should use helicopters.
MK Sufi
Islamabad Citizens’ Committee
Published In The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2012.
