May 18, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 12, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 17: Three young motorcyclists narrowly escaped death on Saturday when one of recklessly driven security vehicles of a senior government functionary hit them on the Margalla Road.

As if this was not enough, the occupants of the vehicle with registration number, IDP 8888, did not even bother to find out if those hit were injured, and sped away, leaving the three dazed bikers and other eyewitnesses in utter shock.

One of the eyewitnesses with palpable anguish on her face told Dawn that she in sheer anger chased the vehicle to its destination, only to discover that the vehicle was part of the security escort of Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik.

She said the car that hit the motor-cyclists was at the tail- end of the entourage. According to her, it suddenly stopped due to traffic rush and, while doing so, hit the motorcycle. But without even looking at the persons who fell on the road, the car fled away to join the entourage, she added.

The fact is that there has never been a dearth of VIPs in the capital city. However, lately the size of such VIPs and the size of their entourage and security escorts have been increased manifold.

On any given day, one can spot a number of such siren wailing vehicles moving on break-neck speed. And they include entourages of several ministers, services chiefs, and even former prime ministers.

And for many commoners, they are fast becoming the biggest nuisance, and traffic hazard in the federal capital.