Dozens of Pakistani and Afghan cyclists embarked on a 350 kilometre race on Friday through scenic but militancy-hit north-west to promote international tourism and cross-border peace. The 87 spandex-clad competitors began their journey in Peshawar. The event included country''s top cyclists as well as a nine-member team from Afghanistan, Nisar Ahmed, president of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cycling Association said.
"It is a very positive step, three to four countries will take part in the next race," he added. Dressed in brightly coloured gear and riding latest generation racing bikes, the cyclists attracted droves of onlookers as they crossed historic monuments such as the 1,400-year-old Peshawar fort.
From there they are due to pass through Abbottabad. They will then head to the capital Islamabad for the final leg, and ride toward picturesque and hilly Nathia Galli that lies in the western Himalayan range. Ehsan Ullah Khan, an Afghan cyclist, said such events could help bring his country closer to Pakistan. The two states have a shared religion, languages and customs, but relations are currently fraught with each accusing the other of exporting militancy. "We hope that a time will come that Pakistan and Afghanistan would be united," he said.
Officials also hope the tour will help revive the country''s tourism industry, particularly in the north-west, following a fall in domestic militant violence as a result of successful military operations. Syed Azhar Ali Shah, an official from the Pakistan Cycling Federation said: "The purpose of organising this tour is to promote tourism in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), which has a lot of attractions both for local and foreign tourists."