A father and daughter duo has made history by becoming the first Pakistani to complete a motorbike tour.
Ghazal Farooqi, a young girl from Karachi, Pakistan, starts a journey of self-discovery with her father Qazi Farooqi on the bike. She wanted to explore the world and experience the scenic routes on her own bike with her helmet. she is an avid bike rider who lives in Gulistan e johar Karachi, Pakistan. Being a bike lover she has been riding her bike since the 9th grade. Ghazal’s first official bike trip in Pakistan with his father was in 2020 in which they covered about 5000 km. On this journey, they started from Karachi to khunjerab pass (China Border) and came straight back to Karachi.
Ghazal’s father is also a biker and loves riding bikes but because of his hectic schedule, he could not go out often. but whenever he managed to have a trip he used to take her daughter with him so that she could learn how to ride a bike. On her 15th birthday, her father gifted her a Scooty which is her first bike. and then he got me a 49cc Scooty on which I go to my university. In this way, my interest in riding a bike has been developed.
She got massive support from his father. In order to enhance her riding skills, he took her on short tours with him on his 150 cc motorbike. ghazal didn’t take any driving lessons from any school. traveling and exploring new places is their fondness which leads them to go on a long tour together. This duo has visited many areas of Pakistan including Sakru, Thatta, Hyderabad, Skardu, Hunza, China border, Shogran, Hopar, Nagar, ShandurTop, Kumrat, Gilgit, (Chitral Kailash), Kalam(Sawat) and many more, and have stayed at different places and met people from different backgrounds during their journey across the country. According to Ghazal Farooqi and her father, they are well-prepared for the difficulties they could face while traveling but they kept minimum and essential luggage including jackets, camp, torch, sleeping bags, first aid, and some food items, camera, sunscreen, power banks and most importantly puncture kit. because during traveling they might face some difficulties, therefore, a bike should be prepared.
Ghazal said that she learned a lot about herself during their trip and plans to continue riding for as long as she can. according to this duo, the roads in Pakistan are the most beautiful as the scenery changes entirely with every turn
In an interview, Ghazal Farooqi said that she has faced criticism from people including her colleagues for choosing such a mode of transport but she has taken it positively. She said “Obviously, I went through ragging in the university, but I took it positively for me. Why should I leave something which I love just because of receiving criticism from others.” in this way this father-daughter duo has set out to break the norms of society by traveling on a bike.
Follow Her on Instagram: ghazal.Farooq