Dawn Images

Tourism in Pakistan is a growing industry.

But many remain focused on foreign tourists visiting the country's north, trapezing their way through the streets of its urban centres and dipping their taste palettes into our fiery street food. What often goes unnoticed is how local travellers explore and navigate the country's social and cultural landscape.

But Tahir Mehdi and Momal Tahir, a father-daughter duo, are breaking the norm by carrying a camera and riding their motorcycle through Punjab's rural heartland in search of captivating stories of ordinary individuals.

Hosted on Sujaag Videos, a multi-media digital platform that focuses on issues and communities that have been marginalized in the mainstream discourse, the multi-episode travel diary starts with the exploration of the Sahiwal District.

As Tahir drives through Punjab's green belt, his daughter Momal operates the camera that captures a landscape dotted with vast lush fields, unpaved pathways, open roads, and a portrait of quintessential village life. The father and daughter alternate between taking charge of the wheels of their motorcycle.

In the first episode, the Mehdis scrutinise the inhabitants of Chak 12/11, their habits and the routine of a life lived in Punjab's villages.

We commend the pair's pro-active approach to travelling through their own country and capturing its beauty through a fresh lens.