DRAWAR: In a cloud of dust and diesel fumes, a souped-up 4x4 roars through the silence of Cholistan desert, cheered on by tens of thousands of spectators.

Nearly 90 drivers were drawn to throw their vehicles around the dry, rocky 214km track in a desolate, baking hot corner of Punjab for this year’s Cholistan Jeep Rally.

The event, which began in 2005, has grown in popularity despite the remote location with fans coming from across the country to see the action.

Officials from the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP), which organises the event, say that the rally, which took place last month, is becoming more popular every year.

TDCP Managing Director Habibur Rehman Gilani said thousands of people from villages and major cities came to witness the event. “It helps locals to improve their living. They rent out their houses and install food stalls to earn money from the visitors.”

ECONOMIC BOOST: Life for those who dwell in the desert is hard, with limited economic opportunities and regular water shortages hitting livestock – the main source of income for many people. This year, a festival of music, dance, wrestling and camping events were held alongside the rally to entertain visitors – and bring work to locals.

Drummer Ghulam Nabi, who lives in Liaquatpur, earned 6,000 rupees in three days – twice as much as he would normally make in a month.

“There are not enough parties and weddings in my town which could help me earn a living through drumming, so this was a very good event to earn a few extra thousand rupees,” the moustachioed Nabi said.

The crumbling Drawar fort, a relic of the Abbasi rule, was host to a fireworks display before the race – a huge boost to business for Fiaz Ahmed Shirazi, who runs a fireworks business in the area.

“I earned 300,000 rupees from the fireworks at this event,” he said.

“There are other vendors who set up food stalls during the rally and earn thousands of rupees in a short period.”

In addition to thousands of locals, tourists from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad travelled to the desert. “It’s awesome,” said Ameera Rao, 26, an event manager, who came from Lahore with friends. “The experience is very thrilling,” Rao, wearing glasses to avoid sun and dust, said.—AFP