LAHORE: The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) and Cross Route Motorcycle Travellers Club of Pakistan jointly celebrated World Heritage Day here on Sunday.

According to a WCLA spokesperson, a procession of heavy bikes was organised by the club that started from Delhi Gate to Lahore Fort via the royal trail, Shahi Hammam, Chitta Gate and Wazir Khan Mosque. Almost 50 heavy bikers participated in the procession.

Speaking on the occasion, WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari said: “It is for the first time that heavy bikes have made their way into the Walled City. We are happy to have these tourists here.

We welcome all such groups and clubs to join hands with us for the promotion of tourism.”

Speaking on the occasion, WCLA Deputy Director Media and Marketing Tania Qureshi said: “This was our first experience with the Cross Route Motorcycle Travellers Club of Pakistan. And we had to make the way in order to let them go inside the streets of the Walled City in connection with World Heritage Day,” she said.

Walled City of Lahore Authority Director Asif Zaheer thanked traffic police for assisting the authority and the club in organising the rally.

Cross Route Motorcycle Travellers Club of Pakistan President Mukarram Tareen said it was an honour for the club to be a part of the WCLA tour.

“We had almost 50 bikers with us and they enjoyed the route thoroughly. Every year we have bikers from all over the world and next time we will be bringing the foreigners here too,” he added.

Akbar Ismail, a member of the club, said: “We loved travelling to the Lahore Fort through Delhi Gate. It was a mesmerising trip. I am happy the people of Walled City are so welcoming and hospitable,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2016