Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Following its planned countrywide journey from Khunjerab Zero Point, Pakistan Motorcar Rally entered South Waziristan tribal region under the auspices of Pakistan Army, a move largely seen as a step toward restoration of peace, a senior official of the local administration said.

“The Peace Motorcar Rally has entered South Waziristan Agency, which is a sign of arresting peace and stability in the once militancy-battered region,” Assistant Political Agent (APA) Naib Din Dawar told Daily Times.

Frontier Corps Inspector General Major General Khalid Javed was the chief guest to see off the rally in which a large number of vehicles including jeeps, motorcycles and vintage cars took part.

The APA said the rally would send a message that peace and stability have been restored in the tribal belt.

He said the rally would stay for a night at Razmak, the scenic garrison town in North Waziristan, after passing through the rugged terrain and mountains of South Waziristan. The rally would depart the next morning where a huge programme would be held in the periphery of Gomal Zam Dam, the APA said.

“Chief of Army Staff, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor (KP), senators, members of National Assembly (MNAs), tribal elders, participants of the rally and others will attend the gathering,” he noted.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement earlier this month, the rally is being arranged under the patronage of the army in which more than 500 bikers, 150 vintage cars and 300 jeeps from throughout Pakistan are taking part.

Starting from Khunjerab, the rally goes to Gilgit, Islamabad, South Waziristan tribal belt, Quetta and Karachi. The rally is planned to conclude at Gwadar, covering a total of over 3,000 kilometres.

Muhammad Tariq, a business owner of Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan) from where the rally started, said the Main Tank Road in DI Khan was virtually closed for traffic troubling commuters, primarily patients and women.

“A healthy sports activity must be held but not at the cost of creating problems for common people,” Tariq said of the rally.

Force Command Northern Areas Commander Major General Saqib Mehmood Malik and Chief Secretary Kazim Niaz had inaugurated the rally at Zero Point. According ISPR, the rally is part of Pakistan’s 70th Independence Day celebrations.

Earlier last month, a cricket match-part of the Peace Cup 2017-was played in North Waziristan in which the UK Media team XI and Pakistan XI team participated.

Shahid Afridi’s 80 runs helped Pakistan win the match.

ISPR DG Asif Ghafoor had tweeted, “Cricket in NWA. Pak XI plays UK Media XI on 21 Sep 17. Live telecast from Miranshah. Peace & prosperity is our destiny. #PeacefulPakistan”

Mehwish, a female participant in the Motorcar Rally from Karachi, told a television channel that she was the only female bike rider to convey the message that Pakistan is a peaceful country.

“I feel really proud when people in queues give you thumbs up, appreciating me to take part in this…. The terror is no more there,” she noted.

Another participant noted a large number of people were waiting in South Waziristan to welcome participants of the rally, and the initiative tends to disseminate a message of peace and tranquillity locally and abroad.

Published in Daily Times, October 26^th 2017.