Vintage car rally held in Pakistan

TORKHAM BORDER: The 7^th Pakistan vintage cars rally that had been started on November 11, from Karachi ended at Torkham border on Monday.

The car rally was organized by Vintage Classic Car Club Pakistan (VCCCP) in which 75 old and unique cars owners participated.15 vintage cars from Karachi,10, from Lahore, 25 from Islamabad and 25 vintage cars from Peshawar participated.

Frontier Crops (FC) officials had arranged a colorful concluding ceremony at Pakistan Army garrison in Landikotal which was attended by people of different walks.

As cars rally entered Khyber Agency schoolchildren and local residents warmly welcomed them at various spots in Landikotal and Jamrud tehsils. They also showered rose petals on the participants and chanted “Pakistan Zindabad”, slogans.

The cars rally later moved toward Landikotal where it was officially announced ended. Commandant Khyber Rifles (KR) Colonel Umar Farooq briefed the rally participants about the strategic importance of Khyber Pass and Torkham border at the historical Michni check post near the Pak-Afghan border.

Col,Umar Farooq told The News that the aim of the car rally was to portray soft image of the tribal areas.He added that the event would also help encourage tourists to visit the historical places in Khyber Agency.

 “Gone are the days when visitors from the big cities of Pakistan and from abroad were hesitating to visit Khyber Agency”,said Farooq. He said peace has been restored in most parts of the tribal areas at the cost of civilian and Pakistan security forces personnel’s lives. He said they would handle with iron hands with those who want to sabotage peace in Pakistan.

A female participant of the vintage car rally, Shereen Abbasi, who was excited while traveling the historical Khyber Pass told this scribe that she join the rally from Islamabad and enjoyed it. She said it was a happy moment as it was her first visit Khyber Agency. She said that several other female car owners participated in the car rally. She said tribal people were loving people who gave them respect and honor to all the participants.

The Participants also visited Pakistan Army garrison in Landikotal where they were honored with local and traditional dishes.