Girls bicycle from Minar-i-Pakistan to Wagha

Samar Khan and Guliafshan Tariq bicycled from Islamabad to Khunjerab Pass last year

LAHORE: Two girls, dressed in purple jackets, cycling on the road is an unusual sight for most Lahoris. On Saturday, several cyclists joined Samar Khan and Guliafshan Tariq on their ride from Minar-i-Pakistan to Wagha border.

Khan and Tariq became famous after they bicycled from Islamabad to Khunjerab Pass.

“We want people to know that Pakistan is a safe place. If two girls can travel by themselves then it should not be too difficult for other people,” said Tariq. She said that they had also wanted to encourage other women to participate.

“Usually, it is just the two of us,” said Tariq. She said they felt safe on the road and had never encountered a serious problem. “Some people think we are foreigners. They come up to us to have their pictures taken with us,” said Tariq.

Khan said some male drivers sometimes tried to intimidate them by driving close to their bicycles. “Mostly it is only catcalls. We have taken self-defence classes. We are used to cycling in heavy traffic as well. The ride to Wagha border will not be difficult,” she said.

They said initially some people were sceptical about claims that they had actually bicycled to Khunjerab. “We recently released a documentary about the ride which has helped quell some of the doubts,” said Khan.

They said they planned to go to various areas in Pakistan to show people that it was not unsafe. “Wherever we go, we invite local cycling groups to come along. This time, we have invited the Canal Cyclists Community and the Critical Mass Lahore this time,” said Tariq.

The two have been joined by two additional riders who started the ride with them from Minar-i-Pakistan. “We have received a lot of calls. Since Minar-i-Pakistan was inaccessible, they joined us on the way,” said Tariq.

Farhan Mashhud, one of the riders joining them from Lahore, said that he had come to show his support for Tariq and Khan. “In a society like ours where women are discouraged from such activities, these two have managed a lot on their own,” he said.

They will also participate in a cycling event taking place on Sunday (today) to promote Congenital Heart Disease alongside the Critical Mass Lahore and the Canal Cyclists Community.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2016.