Pakistan

Water Cross Jeep Race: Mighty Indus conquered

Apart from men, women also participate in race

December 25, 2017 1 min read

Apart from men, women also participate in race. PHOTO: FILE

PESHAWAR: Aided by mechanized contraptions, adventure-seekers managed to conquer the mighty River Indus on Sunday as part of the seventh Indus Water Cross Jeep Race 2017.

The race was organised by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation (TCKP) and the Frontier 4x4 Club. Sajjad Hussain Qureshi from Lahore clinched top spot after he managed to cover a nine-kilometre stretch spread over rugged terrain in just 12.32 minutes

A large number of spectators were glued to the edge of the bank at Swabi Point to watch four and two-wheelers and their valiant drivers traverse the mighty Indus River.

The show was a spectacle as drivers attempted the dangerous feat of crossing a tough track strewn with stones and a gushing river. There were four categories of races which saw five women drivers also participate.

While Qureshi took the overall crown in the men’s category, Rida Naveed grabbed the top spot in the women’s category by covering the track in 19.12 minutes, while Asma Saddique was second after she finished the track in 21.02 minutes.

In Category-A, Nowsherwan was first, Baqir second while Khalid was third. In Category-B, Qureshi was first, Usman Nadeem was second and Tariq Khan third.

Hassan Channa secured the first position in Category-C, Safdar — from Team Sultan — was second, while Raja Nadeem grabbed the third position. In the mountain bike category, Ibrahim Khan was first, Zaigham Khan second and Babar Khan got the third position.

TCKP Managing Director Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, Swabi Deputy Commissioner Mutasimbillah Khan gave away shields and prizes to the position holders of the race.

Mushtaq said that TCKP was trying to promote tourism in the province, adding that it was encouraging that women racers from Peshawar and as far as Islamabad and Lahore had participated in the event. “This will send a positive message to the world about the people and the country,” he said.

The official added that the provinces tourism potential would be further explored while additional activities along River Indus would be set up to attract tourists to the scenic spots of the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2017.