Start your engines: Cholistan Jeep Rally vrooms off today

129 vehicles have been registered for the rally

BAHAWALPUR:

The 11th Cholistan Jeep Rally will kick off amid much fanfare on Friday (today).

Arrangements for the mega event are complete, Bahawalpur Division Commissioner Saqib Zafar said on Thursday. “This year’s attractions include spectacular entertainment shows for the participants and the audience.” The commissioner said that the district administration had also ensured tight security.

Zafar was addressing journalists at a media briefing held with regards to the Cholistan Jeep Rally. “This rally has become an identity marker for Cholistan desert,” he said. The government ups its efforts to provide entertainment and facilities each year, he said.

One of the key attractions this year is a paragliding troupe. “Eight paragliders including two women will participate in the event.”

PTDC General Manager Tanveer Jabbar said that Bahawalpur district encapsulated the spirit of adventure and history of south Punjab. He said it was very heartening to note that foreign media houses had expressed great interest in covering the three-day event.

Jabbar said that the PTDC had arranged for 23 tour camps for foreigners to stay in this year. “We are excited about the level of interest shown by students this year.” Nearly 1,800 students from various schools and colleges in Lahore have registered to participate in the event, he said.

The vehicles registered for participation in the rally have been divided into eight categories. “A category for women drivers has been introduced for the first time…three women drivers have registered for participation so far.”

Club 4x4 president Mehmood Majeed said 120 vehicles had been registered for participation in the rally. This year, the track for the rally is 218km long.

Commissioner Zafar Iqbal said that next year, the track for the rally will be extended to 600km. The track will include certain parts of Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalnagar districts as well as Bahawalpur. He said a project to combine the Sindh and Cholistan jeep rallies was also under consideration.

He said that they had made strict arrangements to ensure cleanliness. “We do not want the desert to be polluted.”

Iqbal said that the government had given approval for the establishment of a resort at Derawar. Work on this will start soon, he said.

Renovation work on Derawar Fort is also underway. “We take the preservation and safety of Derawar Fort very seriously.” Suggestions regarding the establishment of a trust for this are also under consideration.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12^th, 2016.