Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday made way for an ambulance by halting his motorcade on the elevated expressway near Karwan Bazar, breaking the usual VVIP protocol.

The move came shortly before 9:00am as the Prime Minister was travelling from his Gulshan residence to the Secretariat, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.

“While travelling from his Gulshan residence in the morning along the expressway near Karwan Bazar, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman suddenly noticed in his vehicle’s rear-view mirror that an ambulance was behind the convoy, appearing hesitant to pass the motorcade,” he said.

Seeing this, Rumon said the Prime Minister instructed security officials to immediately allow the ambulance to pass.

“Following the instruction, the convoy slowed down and made space, allowing the ambulance to move ahead without delay,” he said describing it as a “rare example.”

A private insurance company official, Saleh Uddin, who was travelling to Motijheel in a private car near Karwan Bazar, said he was also behind the Prime Minister’s motorcade at the time.

“All vehicles suddenly stopped. Then VIP security personnel allowed the ambulance to pass through the convoy,” he said.

Saleh also said that by allowing an ambulance carrying a critically ill patient to pass, the Prime Minister had set another example.

He said the Prime Minister’s move reflected a head of government’s sense of responsibility and compassion towards ordinary people, calling it a lesson for all.

In Bangladesh, Saleh said traffic is often halted to allow VVIP motorcades to pass, forcing other vehicles to wait.

The Prime Minister’s action reflects a shift from that practice, highlighting a people-first approach, he added.