MUZAFFARGARH: As many as 65 vehicles participated in the first-ever Thal Jeep Rally held in the desert area of Muzaffargarh district.

Sultan Mohammad Ali won the international rally and was awarded a Rs1.5 million cash prize.

A large number of spectators from different parts of the country came to witness the rally in which jeep drivers from around the world came to participate.

The District Coordination Officer, Shaukat Ali, said it was a challenge for the administration to organise the event on a large scale, adding that the tourism department assisted the organisers in holding the 160-km-long rally from Head Muhammadwala to the boundary of Layyah district.

The Additional District Collector, Rai Khalid, said that 14 check-posts were set up by police and Rescue 1122 was deployed by the tehsil municipal administration along the rally route.

The award ceremony was held in the Faisal Stadium where Tourism Minister Saeed Manais, as well as other dignitaries, gave prizes to the winners.

Local singers also performed on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2016