A trip down memory lane

Residents of the provincial capital on Sunday took a drive down memory lane as dozens of vintage and classic cars lined up at the Services Club and the Peshawar Club before they departed for Multan later in the evening.

Participants of the 11th Vintage and Classic Cars Rally 2020 had arrived in the city on Saturday after starting from Khyber tribal district- the gateway to Pakistan - as they began their 728 kilometre-long journey for Multan.

On Sunday, a grand ceremony was organised at the Peshawar Press Club where participants of the rally were given a warm Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) welcome and were entertained with a traditional Khattak dance and musical programme organised by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (K-PCTA) and the Classic Land Rover. There was a show of vintage cars at the Services Club as well. Street children were brought to the venue to enjoy the car and music shows.

K-P Sports, Tourism, Archaeology, Museums, Culture and Youth Affairs Department Secretary Muhammad Abid Majeed said that abundance of natural and cultural heritage assets make K-P a preferred destination for both domestic and international tourists.

“Within the midst of five breathtaking river valleys and towering mountain peaks, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy nature and visit sites of global significance for Buddhists, Sikhs and Muslims,” the official said.

Majeed said that the incumbent government was working on four Integrated Tourism Zones (ITZs), including Mankial in Swat, Madaklasht in Chitral, Thandiani in Abbottabad and Mansehra to develop them along modern lines to attract tourists.

He added that new tourism projects would usher in a new era of development and create employment opportunities.

Thereafter, participants of the rally on Sunday left for Multan to join other rally participants from Karachi and other cities. After gathering in Multan, they will launch the third leg of their journey towards Khanpur.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2020.