PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) on Friday organised the All Pakistan Cycle Race in Orakzai tribal district to mark the World Tourism Day.

A statement issued here said the event was arranged in collaboration with the KP Cycling Association (KPCA) and was aimed at boosting tourism and sports in the merged districts.

The organisers had established a 17.5-kilometre track for the race between the lush green hills from Ziara area to Khawah Darra in the scenic district.

Over 34 cyclists from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab and Pakistan Ordnance Factory, Wah Cantonment, participated in the event.

The contestants vigorously pedaled their cycles to clinch the top positions. Yousaf, a cyclist from Peshawar, won the first position by covering the track in 30.52 minutes. Sadiqullah covered the track in 31.07 minutes and stood second.

Imran from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa grabbed the third position by covering the distance in 31.08 minutes. Mohibullah from Balochistan won the fourth position.

Commandant Orakzai Scouts Colonel Rai Kashif Amin was the chief guest, and deputy commissioner Mohammad Khalid, KPCTA Project Director for Merged Districts Ishtiaq Khan, KPCA president Nisar Ahmad and others also attended the event.

Talking to mediapersons, Ishtiaq Khan said the KP government was striving to promote tourism in the tribal districts, and that holding of the cycle race was the first step in that direction. He said the spectacular event was arranged to introduce the Orakzai district as a tourism attraction to both the domestic and international tourists.

The official said tourism, sports and other healthy activities would be launched in the merged districts soon.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2021