Snow jeep rally roars into Chitral, Dir

Yasir Khan wins first-of-its-kind event; organisers term race a success

LOWARI TOP: Risking life and limb as well as their reputation, competitors were power sliding through snow on Lowari Top at the elevation of 10,230 feet. However, few probably had a chance to take in the breathtaking sights and sounds as they were traveling through the area at

breakneck speeds.

For the first time, a snow jeep rally was held in Upper Dir and the Lowari Top area of Chitral. The rally covered a distance of 21 kilometres around the area and passed through the Lowari Tunnel only to come back to the old mountainous road close to the tunnel on the Dir side.



As many as 60 drivers from the Frontier 4x4 Club, representing Peshawar, Chitral and Dir, peeled away from the start line and raced to the finish.



Yasir Khan of the club braved the slippery snow and emerged victorious, while Shah Nawaz took second position. Rahatullah Khan rounded off the top three.

Yasir told The Express Tribune despite many obstacles, he kept the jeep pointing in the right direction on the traction-deprived surface and won.

Frontier 4x4 Club President Babar Khan admitted there were perils and fears, but the race concluded without incident. He hailed the event as a success.

The race was organised by Tourism Cooperation Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan Army with the aim to promote tourism in the area. A large number of petrol heads turned up at Lowari Top to enjoy the event, while students from various K-P universities had set up stalls to display handicrafts.

MNA Sahibzada Tariqullah, Malakand Division DIG Azad Khan, Pankot Commander Brigadier Amir, Upper Dir nazim Fasihullah Khan, Upper Dir DC Zakaullah Khattak and other civil and military officers saw the battle unfold.

Malakand Army Division General Officer Commanding Major General Nadir Khan briefed the audience and said Lowari Top was a picturesque area which needed the proper attention of the government. “The rally aimed to promote this snow-covered area and provide an opportunity for entertainment to the people” said the general. He added the snow festival would be held every year.



“The event is a sign of peace and success for Dir, Chitral – for the whole world.”

Lowari Top was opened for travel this year and the event will attract more tourists from across the world in the coming future.

Prizes were distributed among the top finishers by the military
officers present.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 29^th,  2016.