One of the jeeps participating in the rally is stuck in the snow. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The Malam Jabba snow jeep rally kicked off on the zigzag mountain track on Saturday, in the ski resort, about an hour’s drive from Swat.
The snow jeep rally, which attracted 35 participants, double that of the previous year, was organised for the second consecutive time by the Frontier 4x4 Club.
According to visitors who spoke to The Express Tribune, a jeep rally, some 9,000 feet above sea level in the pristine snow has its own charm. The adventure race in snow in the mountains is thrilling doubt, said Zeeshan Durrani, a tourist from Lahore.
Ameenul Haq, a participant in the rally, said he had come not just for the thrill of the race but also because he wanted to send a message of peace to the entire country.
This is a great winter sport which is full of fun and adventure for us and the spectators, he stated. “The rally will help attract more tourists to Swat.”
Tourists thronged the valley this year to attend the rally as many of them had come to know about the previous one. We waited one whole year for the rally as we could not attend the last one at Malam Jabba. We really enjoyed it, said Riaz Hussain, a tourist from Peshawar. “It was unlimited fun, today.”
The jeep race impressed many of the visitors who were surprised by the government’s lack of interest. This is such a fantastic place for winter sports. I don’t understand why our government doesn’t take steps to promote winter sports here by organising national and international events? said a tourist.
The rally was attended by 35 racers from across the country. The core aim of organising the rally is to revive tourism in Swat and send a message of peace to the whole world, said Babar Khan, chairman of the club.
We invite tourists and racers from around the world to come and enjoy snow adventures, Khan stated. He requested the government to support his club in organising future rallies.
Government support is needed to streamline tourism in this beautiful part of the world, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2013.
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