UPPER DIR: The second Lowari snow jeep rally would be held on Sunday (tomorrow) at the scenic and snow-covered Lowari Top for which contestants from across the country had already reached Dir.

Pakistan State Oil is sponsoring the event, which is being organised by the Pakistan Army and Upper Dir district government.

Over 50 contestants from five different clubs of Lahore, Peshawar, Islamabad and other areas are taking part in the competition.

Local drivers were also invited to take part in the rally to show and enhance their skills.

The aim of the event is to give a message of peace to the world. The first such jeep rally was organised last year.

The Lowari Top has always been considered one of the dangerous routes in the world.

The route would usually remain closed to traffic for almost five months every year in the past due to heavy snowfall.

The 37-kilometre narrow Lowari Top road is also known as ‘hair-pen’ because it has around 20 zigzag turns. As such, a brave heart is needed to drive on this road.

However, last year the drivers declared the road as adventurous.

Deputy commissioner Mohammad Usman Mehsud and a large number of people of Upper Dir welcomed the contestants from other parts of the country at Akhgram, Wari, Darora, Bibyawar, Chukiatan and Dir city.

It is in fact a four-day festival that has started from Jan 5 in Dir and the jeep rally would be its main event.

Stalls of local and traditional instruments and handicrafts have also been established in Dir.

Top officials and elders from both Upper Dir and Chitral districts have been invited to witness the jeep rally.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2017