Prime Minister sets example through leadership

Less than 12 hours after his first national address reaffirming equal rights for all citizens, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was seen on Thursday morning stopping at traffic lights in his personal car alongside other vehicles.

For many city residents, the scene was unusual, as VIP movements often cause prolonged traffic disruptions.

The prime minister left his Gulshan Avenue residence at 8:34am and arrived at his office at the Secretariat at 9:15am, spending about 41 minutes on the road.

Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman told Daily Sun that the vehicle stopped at four traffic signals between Gulshan and the Secretariat whenever the lights turned red. As the motorcade paused, pedestrians along the roadside greeted him with applause and cheers, which he acknowledged with a wave.

“In some cases, people came close to the vehicle to greet him, and a few even took selfies using their mobile phones,” Ruman added.

Since taking office, Tarique Rahman has been using his personal car instead of the one allocated to the prime minister. Earlier, Ruman said the prime minister is also using his own driver and purchasing fuel at his own expense.

On Wednesday, he travelled to Savar and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in his white Toyota SUV for official engagements and later went to the Secretariat in the same vehicle. According to Ruman, the size of the prime minister’s motorcade has been reduced at his instruction to help ease traffic congestion.

“Previously, there were 13 or 14 vehicles in the motorcade. Now it has been reduced to four,” he said, adding that the prime minister is using a car without a flag.

“The flag will only be displayed during state functions or visits by foreign dignitaries,” he added.

Ruman also said the prime minister has decided to hold cabinet meetings at the Secretariat to minimise traffic disruptions caused by ministers travelling between the Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office.

“VIP movements often create difficulties for ordinary people. Taking this into account, the prime minister has decided that cabinet meetings will mostly be held at the Secretariat,” he said.

Sources at the prime minister’s office said that upon arriving on Thursday, Tarique Rahman enquired about the presence of ministers, secretaries and other officials at their respective offices.

Officials said he will now attend office on Saturdays as well to accelerate administrative work, enhance efficiency in governance and ensure quicker implementation of key policies.

Earlier, at a meeting of the BNP’s parliamentary committee, he announced that party lawmakers would no longer receive duty-free cars or residential plots — a decision that has drawn widespread appreciation. He also instructed ministers to cut unnecessary spending and maintain strict austerity in government expenditure.

The prime minister has been attending official programmes in simple white shirts, avoiding suits, blazers and other costly attire.

Political observers have welcomed the approach of the country’s new prime minister, expressing hope that he will continue to lead by example and turn his commitments into action, encouraging cabinet colleagues and party leaders to put public interest first.