Indus Water Cross Jeep Race thrills Swabi

Hund hosts 14th edition as over 50 drivers compete on rugged track

SWABI:

The 14th Indus Water Cross Jeep Race was held on Sunday at the scenic Hund site along the River Indus in Swabi district, drawing large crowds and showcasing high-octane motorsport action.

The event was jointly organised by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) and the Frontier 4x4 Club, as part of ongoing efforts to promote adventure tourism in the province.

Drivers from different parts of the country participated in the competition, displaying exceptional driving skills on a tough and uneven terrain specially designed for the race. More than 50 racers took part, competing on a challenging three-kilometre track that tested both vehicle performance and driver endurance.

Director General KPCTA, Muhammad Usman Mehsud, was the chief guest on the occasion. He was accompa-nied by Director Administration KPCTA Shehryar Mahmood, Director Tourism Muhammad Ali Syed, Assistant Commissioner Saddam Bajwa, and other notable officials and guests.

The Indus Water Cross Jeep Race featured competitions in three different categories. In the first category (0 to 6000cc), Baryal Khan secured first position, followed by Baseer Khan in second place and Imran in third. The second category (0 to 3000cc) saw Abi clinching first position, while Raza Jan stood second and Raza SS fin-ished third. In the women drivers' category, Marjan Yousafzai claimed the top position, earning applause for her confident performance.

At the conclusion of the event, DG KPCTA Muhammad Usman Mehsud distributed prizes among the winning drivers. Addressing the ceremony, he said the provincial government was making serious and sustained efforts to promote tourism across the province by launching and supporting diverse tourism-related projects.

He announced that Hund Park in Swabi would soon be developed under a public-private partnership model, adding that a picnic area would also be established near the local dam to provide better recreational facilities for visitors.

The successful organisation of the jeep race not only highlighted the region's potential for adventure sports but also reinforced Hund's growing status as a tourist destination in K-P.