TDS Desk:

In a rare and striking scene on Dhaka’s busy roads, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was seen halting his motorcade to allow an ambulance to pass, setting aside standard VVIP protocol.

The incident took place on Wednesday morning near the Karwan Bazar end of the elevated expressway, as the prime minister was heading to his office at the Secretariat.

Around 9:00am, his convoy was moving from Banani Expressway towards the FDC intersection when an ambulance was spotted behind the motorcade, sounding its siren and attempting to move ahead.

Recognising the urgency, the prime minister instructed his security officials to make way for the ambulance. Following his directive, the convoy promptly cleared a path, allowing the emergency vehicle to pass without delay.

In Bangladesh, it is common for traffic to be halted to facilitate the movement of VVIP convoys, often causing inconvenience to other road users. However, this gesture marked a departure from that practice, reflecting a people-first approach.

Eyewitnesses described the moment as both spontaneous and humane, noting that such scenes are uncommon on the country’s roads. Many viewed the act as a strong message of empathy and responsibility from the head of government, prioritising urgent medical needs over protocol.