Sahibzada Sultan won the 16th Cholistan Jeep Rally on Sunday.
The rally kicked off on Friday at Derawar Fort in the Cholistan area. This year, 43 vehicles took part in the prepared category. Mir Nadir Magsi secured second place while Jaffar Imran got third position in the motor sport competition.
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar presided over the concluding ceremony. He also drove a car on the track of Cholistan Jeep Rally and expressed his wish to participate in the competition.
Speaking to the media, Buzdar said, “I really enjoy driving on the track. The Cholistan Jeep Rally has become a mega event of Pakistan, which is not only promoting tourism but also portraying a soft image of the country across the world. In future rallies, drivers from around the world will be invited to make this an international event.”
Buzdar said the potential of tourism can be used for strengthening the economy. This sector will be promoted by ensuring basic amenities in remote areas like Marri, Koh-e-Suleman and Cholistan. The promotion of tourism will create employment opportunities for local people.
Islamia University Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Cholistan Development Authority collaborated for the event and set up various stalls at the rally site. A special food street was also established near the site.
The CM highlighted that the government was paying special attention to the development of underprivileged areas. “No area will be deprived of development. The main goal of the government is the collective development of all the backward areas of Punjab.”
He also said the incumbent government had given a new identity to South Punjab. “Now, funds allocated for South Punjab cannot be transferred to any other city. These funds cannot be used for any other projects. The government is committed to bringing backward areas at par with developed cites of Punjab,” he underlined.
Speaking about water shortage problem of the area, Buzdar said the government would consider construction of underground water storage tanks. All possible measures will be taken to solve problems of backward areas on priority.
Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) Board of Directors Member Dr Sohail Zafar Cheema and Managing Director Tanveer Jabbar flagged off vehicles for the prepared category race.
In previous years, musical and cultural shows were part of the event but this time the authorities avoided the shows in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. However, besides the jeep rally, several other events, like dirt bike race, lighting up of Derawar Fort and fireworks, were organised.
Buzdar also appreciated the local administration, TDCP and other agencies concerned for successfully holding the mega event amid the coronavirus pandemic while adhering to the safety standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Cholistan Jeep Rally started in 2005 and has since grown in leaps and bounds. The rally covers three districts of Punjab, including Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur. The route had been extended to 500 kilometres in the Cholistan desert and also includes major forts of the area like Dingarh, Marrot, Khan Garh, Bhijnot, Moujgarh and Jamgarh Fort.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2021.
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