KARACHI, Feb 20 While cyclists from Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka will be taking part in the 15th edition of Tour de Pakistan Race that will pedal off from Peshawar on March 1, India was not invited for the contest, a Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF) official said here on Saturday.

A gruelling 1655-kilometre distance, spread over 11 stages, will start in front of the Pearl Continental Hotel, Peshawar and terminate at Karachi on March 13 after passing through some major cities of the NWFP, Punjab and Sindh.

Resented by the Indian Premier League high-ups for ignoring Pakistani cricketers in its third edition, the PCF hasn't invited India for the prestigious event.

Talking to reporters here at the Karachi Press Club, PCF Secretary Idrees Haider Sheikh said the race would begin from Peshawar on March 1 and would conclude in Karachi on March 13.

“Governor NWFP Owais Ghani would inaugurate the event and Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan would be the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the event,” Idrees added.

He said the PCF didn't invite India for the event in protest over the humiliating treatment meted out to Pakistani cricketers at the IPL auction recently. “Our cricketers were humiliated in the IPL. So, in protest, we didn't invite India.”

Besides foreign teams, peddlers from four provinces, Fata, Pakistan Army, Wapda, Railways and Sui Southern Gas Company will be featuring in the event that carries a prize money of $10,000.

Elaborate arrangements are being made across the country to hold the event in a befitting manner. Foolproof security will be in place during the race.—Agencies