TCKP arranges safari train tour for orphan children

PESHAWAR: The Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) organized a joyful day-long safari train tour from Peshawar to Attock Khurd for the orphan children to mark the Quaid-e-Azam Day on Monday.

Secretary Sports, Tourism, Culture, Museums, Archaeology and Youth Affairs Muhammad Tariq, Events In-charge Hassina Shaukat and other officials welcomed the picnickers on the platform of historic Peshawar Cantonment Railway Station with bouquets and garlands before the train left for its destination at 9am.

Attock Khurd, located in Attock district of Punjab, houses the historical Attock Fort built by the Mughal King Akbar in 1581. Bahram Ki Baradari is another Mughal-era monument situated at the ridge of mountains on the southern side of the Grand Trunk Road near Attock Khurd. “We provided the orphan children with a unique opportunity to avail an outing and at the same time we want to apprise them of the rich heritage and tourist spots of our country,” the secretary told media as the train started journey towards the historic Attock Khurd.

The official said that this time the train tour had been arranged for the orphan children so they could also enjoy recreational and entertainment opportunities. He said the children always enjoyed picnics with their parents but these orphans had no opportunity to go on such excursion.“We provided the train safari trip to the orphans so they could not feel any inferiority complex and enjoy the occasion, which coincides with Quaid-e-Azam Day,” he added.

The children were provided food stuff, cold drinks and other eatables during the journey. They were also given gifts of daily use items and sports gears upon reaching the Attock Khurd.

Various games and activities including play-land, camel ride, football, badminton, race, jumping and magic show were also arranged at Attock Khurd, which were enjoyed by the children. The picnickers enjoyed the excursion when they passed through various railway stations including Pabbi, Nowshera, Khushal Kot, Akora Khattak, Jehangira, Indus River and Attock Bridge. They were also briefed about the historic perspective of the train track and various railway stations. Events In-charge Hassina Shaukat said that the orphan children deserved more attention and care as they deprived of blessings of parents. She said that more train tours would be arranged for the orphan children.

The activity was also aimed at revitalising the train trip to historical sites such as Attock Khurd, Attock Bridge, Attock Fort, Indus River, promote the importance and awareness of tourism among the orphan children. The TCKP had also arranged train tours for the minority and transgender communities in the past so that they could also know about the rich history, heritage, culture and tourist places.

The historical tourist resort complex of Attock Khurd is situated on the eastern bank of Indus River near the old iron girder bridge built in 1883, which connects Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab.