The 1012-kilometre walk from Khaplu in GB to Islamabad took the volunteers 32 days. PHOTO: FILE
The 1012-kilometre walk from Khaplu in GB to Islamabad took the volunteers 32 days. Along the road, they visited 202 towns in 12 districts to promote peace, said a press release.
The team leader, Ghulam Hussain, said the main objective of their month-long walk was to convey the message to international community that Pakistan was a peaceful country and that Pakistanis are a tolerant and hospitable people. He said the team got the chance to talk to the people in different town along the way on peace, tolerance and tourism. “We have received overwhelming response from the people.”
IUCPSS Chairman and the University of Haripur Vice-Chancellor Dr Nasser Ali Khan said that Pakistan was abundant in natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. “Through such walks and events, we can promote the soft image of the country and attract foreign tourists and investors to Pakistan”, he said.
Civil society activist Tahira Abdullah called for active participation of women in sports, climbing and other healthily activities.
“People of Gilgit-Baltistan are peace-loving and hospitable. We are here to convey this message to international community,” said Hassan Jan, a mountaineer and participant of the walk.
The mountaineers also urged the government to support local mountaineers in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The ‘peace walk’ team led by Ghulam Hussain comprised Hassan Jan, Ghulam Mehdi, Yousaf Ali, Muhammad Iqbal, Ibrahim, Hussain Parwana, Muhammad Bashir, Ali Rozi, Ali Hassan and Ibrahim Shahid.
The consortium is an alliance of 26 Pakistani universities.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 15th, 2015.
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