The Peshawar district administration earlier yesterday organised a car show which, the organisers claimed, had more than 40,000 visitors
“On roads we rarely come to see unique and vintage cars, but here I saw hundreds of such cars and motorcycles,” said Tariq Khan, a participant of the car show held at the sprawling ground of the Islamia Collegiate, Peshawar.
Sitting in one of the vintage cars, Rehman, another participant, said the car show provided him an opportunity to see expensive cars. He thanked the organisers for allowing him to sit in such a car.
The car show was sponsored by Pakwheels.com. The Peshawar DC’s volunteer task force was at the forefront in organising the event.
Over 40,000 people visited the car show, Usman Bin Asif, marketing manager of Pakwheels.com, said. Talking to the media, he said, there were different categories of cars in the show from 1915 to 2013, including vintage, classic, sports, luxury, modified and concept cars and 4×4 jeeps.
The show featured around 500 cars and motorcycles. The oldest car was a 1915 Ford and among the modern ones was a GT Mustang 2013, he said. “It was a grand show,” he added.
Besides, Nissan GT-R and Mazda RX-7 cars were also displayed at the show. Different auto clubs from the adjacent areas also participated. “Through organising this event we want to show the world that Peshawar is a safe place now,” Pakwheels’ Usman Asif said.
Organising such events gave real entertainment and fun to the Peshawarites who have experienced a lot of terror incidents in the previous decade, Imtiaz Khan, who had come to the show along with his family, said. He demanded of the government to organise such events regularly in different parts of the capital city.
The number of visiting families was unprecedented, said Deputy Commissioner Riaz Khan while talking to Dawn. The entire programme was managed by the volunteer force, he said, as members of the force kept moving around the show.
“We are making all out efforts to put the message across that Peshawar is safe now,” he said. The car show was followed by a musical show, providing great entertainment to the people, he said.
The deputy commissioner said that efforts were afoot to ensure public participation in awareness campaigns regarding traffic rules, polio eradication and sanitation. “Through such positive activities we want to show the bright face of the Peshawar to the world,” he said.
At the musical night, local folk singers and artists performed traditional songs and dances.
Food and handicraft stalls were also set up at the show.