Asif Fazal Chaudhry wins Thal desert jeep rally

Event drew 34 competitors, including three women. Chaudhry celebrated his second championship win, first since 2019

Asif Fazal Chaudhry won the 9th Thal Desert Jeep Rally, covering the required distance of 30 kilometers in 18 minutes and 3 seconds.

Speaking to media, Fazal described the track as “good but challenging” given the conditions.

The event drew 34 competitors, including three women. Asif Fazal Chaudhry celebrated his second championship win, his first since 2019.

Faisal Shadi Khail secured second place with a time of 18 minutes and 12 seconds, followed closely by Sahibzada Muhammad Ali Sultan, who claimed third with 18 minutes and 16 seconds.

In the Prepared Vehicles - B Category, Asad Shadi Khail claimed the top position, followed by Arbaz Khan in second and Nauman Sarajam Khan in third.

The C Category saw Bewaragh Mazari clinch first place, while Asif Ali and Dr. Tharis took second and third, respectively.

In the D Category, Mian Shakeel Burchundi emerged as the winner, with Umar Iqbal Kanju and Taj Khan Mehr in second and third places.

In the Stock Vehicles - A Category, Hasan Ali Magsi finished in first, Zohaib Hasan in second, and Syed Asif Imam in third.

B Category saw Bisma Allah Magsi take first place, Sultan Muhammad Bahadar Aziz second, and Muhammad Umar Younis third.

The third stage of the 9th annual Thal Jeep Rally concluded on Saturday as drivers tackled a shortened 105-kilometer track due to poor visibility caused by heavy smog.

Racers adapted to the modified route as safety concerns limited the stage length in Muzaffargarh.

Due to heavy smog, the Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan (TDCP) adjusted the race length, setting the midpoint as the finish line.

Originally planned to start and end at Head Muhammadwala, the total distance was reduced to 30 kilometers.

After a delay for improved visibility, Kot Addu Deputy Commissioner Syed Manwar Abbas Bukhari launched the race as smog lifted.

Dina Patel, who won first in the women’s prepared category, called the rally a "recreational highlight" for spectators each year.

International racer Asif Ali, who overturned his car the previous day, returned to race after repairs. Competing for the first time in Pakistan, Ali had traveled from the UK to participate.

Thousands of spectators from across Pakistan attended the rally, enjoying the chance to see renowned international drivers.

An awards ceremony at Faisal Stadium saw Dera Ghazi Khan Commissioner and tourism officials distribute prizes to winners.

Muzaffargarh Deputy Commissioner Quratul Ain acknowledged the logistical challenges posed by the smog, crediting the tourism department and Kot Addu and Layyah district administrations for assisting with the 195-kilometer track preparations.

Kot Addu DC Syed Munawar Abbas Bukhari praised the honor of hosting such a large-scale event, noting that the route stretched from Head Muhammadwala in Kot Addu district to the Layyah district boundary before returning to its starting point.

Security was a priority, with District Police Officer Syed Hasnain Haider deploying over 800 police personnel along the route. Layyah DC Ameera Baidar and DPO Ali Waseem also supervised the track setup.

As part of the Thal Cultural Fair, festivities in Chobara tehsil included jhoomer dance and folk singing.