Daily Times

LAHORE: The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) is all set to introduce cycle rickshaw offering ride to tourists.

Last week, the WCLA announced to launch a cycle rickshaw service for tourists inside Walled city area like other ride-offering services, including Rangeela Rickshaw, Tonga Ride and Buggy Ride.

However, human rights activists and citizens have strongly condemned the decision of launching the cycle rickshaw service.

Talking to Daily Times, Farzana Bari, a human rights activist, said: “I strongly censure and demand the WCLA to take back the decision. The world is adopting modern technology in transport and other sectors but we are going back.” She said that the Punjab Assembly should immediately pass a bill to halt WCLA from launching the “inhumane” cycle rickshaw service

Similarly, I A Rehman also condemned the WCLA’s decision of launching the cycle rickshaw service, saying, the government should immediately fill flaws if present in law.

It’s pertinent to mention here that cycle rickshaws are banned and restricted is some countries and cities across the world and human right activist and officials have strongly opposed the decision.

Moreover, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, in its first tenure had imposed a ban on plying cycle rickshaws in Bahawalpur and gave loan to people on easy instalments to purchase auto rickshaws.

The decision to ply the tricycle rickshaw service has drawn mixed reaction. Samina Tanveer, a resident of Lahore, said that the culture was being eliminated across the world; however, they [WCLA] want to promote it.

“This is not a good move because cycle rickshaws are a symbol of poverty and powerlessness. Pakistan has eradicated this thing long ago and it should not come back in any form,” said another resident.

Several attempts were made to contact with WCLA Director General DG Kamran Lashari and WCLA Media and Marketing deputy director for their comments, but both of them did not receive multiple phone calls.