A VIDEO has gone viral on the Internet wherein dignified residents of Islamabad are seen protesting against a road blocl(ade during the prime minister`s move to air headquarters, Islamabad.

Reportedly, the prime minister`s entourage was forced to change its route. This reminds me of another incident during Gen Pervez Musharraf`s tenure when a flat in Askari II, Scheme III, Rawalpindi, got burnt owing to short circuiting, but unfortunately the fire tender could not arrive in time because it was blocked on a VVIP route.

I wrote a letter to the editor highlighting the plight of the occupants of the burnt-outflat. Musharraf took notice of my letter and a few days later, I read in the newspapers that he had ordered that the traf fic 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 in spirit.

I live in Chaklala Cantonment, Rawalpindi, where at least twice a day we encounter VIP movements of the chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, and the army chief.

They 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, the prime minister, governors and chief ministers must endeavour not to cause inconvenience for the public for too long a time during their moves.

Maj (r) Talaat Khurshid Rawalpindi