Cross-country cyclists break at Abbottabad

Dedicate journey to Army Public School attack victims

ABBOTABAD:

A group of young people from Faisalabad, who started their journey on bicycles from Khunjrab on November 28, have reached Abbottabad.

“The eight cyclists, between ages 19 and 23 years, have dedicated their journey to peace and the martyrs of the Army Public School attack,” Khadim Hussain, the team head and president of District Cyclists Association, told journalists on Friday. “This team of eight young cyclists will make a world record; they reached Abbottabad braving cold weather and security risks.”

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Speaking of the cyclists’ world record, Hussain said, “They will reach Peshawar on Saturday (today) and visit the families of the martyrs of APS attack.” He added they will then leave for Gwadar and end their journey at the mausoleum of Jinnah in Karachi, completing 4,300 kilometres.

The district association president said the event was organised by District Cyclists Association Faisalabad, without any financial support from the provincial or federal cycling associations. These, he said, had funding in the millions. “Even if you ignore the issue of financial support, we were not even welcomed at the entry points of the districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.”



He added although the cyclists safely reached Abbottabad via Karakoram Highway, they were fearful for their safety throughout as there was no security arrangement for them. Karakoram is considered a dangerous highway, said Hussain.

“Since the boys are committed to their cause, they will complete their journey at any cost, exhibiting their solidarity with the victims of terrorism and for peace in Pakistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th,  2015.