LAHORE - WCLA is starting its 4th batch of tourist guide course from today to train locals for conducting guided tours inside the walled city.

The eight-week course includes introduction to tourism, ethics of tourist guide, communication skills, storytelling, mock tours, and the history of walled city.

These training courses were launched in 2013 and so far more than 50 guides have been trained. The purpose of these training is to make the city residents aware of their heritage and to provide them with economic opportunities.

Farzana Malik, a tourist guide said that she was among the training session of 2014 that was held at Delhi Gate School. “It was a good experience for me and now I am conducting tours of the walled city.

“At first I was hesitant of this job but now I realise that I am important for people as a tour guide. It is a good profession for females and I would encourage more and more to be a part of this training and WCLA,” she added.

Another tourist guide said that it was a respectable source of income. “It is more of recreation than a job, as we learn new things each passing day,” Arqam Saleem told The Nation.

Kamal Subhani, who joined the training session after being impressed by his neighbour who used to work as a tour guide, was also hopeful of earning good pocket money by making trips around the city.

Amazed at the skills and knowledge of the people living inside the walled city, DG Walled City of Lahore Authority Kamran Lashari said: “The reason we select the residents of the walled city is that nobody would know the area better than them. They have heard stories for their fathers and grandparents and that is what creates the storytelling.

“We just have to polish the skills of these boys and girls and they turn out to be real gems. We are encouraging the females of the Walled city as well and I am glad that many young girls of walled city are taking up this profession,” he added.

Man dies in road accident

OUR STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE

A 60-year-old man yesterday died when a car smashed into his motorcycle on the Ferozepur Road in Naseerabad police precincts.

Police identified the victim as Muhammad Jalaal, a resident of Walton Road. Jalaal riding on a motorcycle was on his way to a nearby market when a recklessly-driven car bumped into his two-wheeler. The motorcyclist died on the spot while driver along with the car managed to escape from the scene. The police were investigating the incident.

Woman, baby hit by car

A three-year-old girl and two women were wounded when a car hit them near Sheranwala Gate in Yakki Gate police area. The injured were shifted to the Nawaz Sharif hospital by Edhi ambulance service.

Police said that 33-year-old Nadia, her 25-year-old relative Saba and three-year-old Sadia were busy in shopping in the bazaar when a car hit them from rear side. As a result, they sustained serious injuries and were admitted to a hospital. Further investigations were underway.

Human smugglers nailed

FIA on Tuesday arrested three human smugglers, including two proclaimed offenders (POs).

The FIA Gujrat chapter arrested Shakeel Ahmad, a resident of Sialkot while the POs were Akbar Ali and Mirza Muhammad Amin.

Cases were registered against them in 2012 and 2015 respectively. Both the accused had received millions from peoples on the pretext of sending them abroad. The accused will be produced in court on Wednesday (today).