LAHORE: The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) has announced holding the country’s biggest motor sport event– Cholistan Desert Rally –spreading over 250km in Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar districts from Feb 14.

Since its humble beginning in 2005, the Cholistan Desert Rally, commonly known as jeep rally, has grown into an event on a par with international level and this year it would be featuring foreigners as well as women drivers.

The four-day 14th Cholistan Desert Rally will not only serve as a sport event but a mixture of cultural, heritage and south Punjab winter tourism affair, said tourism department secretary Nadeem Mahboob while speaking at a news conference here on Friday.

Top five winners in all categories to get Rs5m each

Mr Mahboob said the Cholistan Desert Rally had, over the years, become a flagship event and was being supported by the Punjab government, armed forces, police and district administrations besides multinational companies.

Expecting over 200,000 visitors, Punjab Tourism Minister Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfraz said the visitors would be able to enjoy a unique travel experience to see historically and culturally rich Cholistan closely besides specially organised events like cultural performances by local artistes, fireworks, overnight stays in secure desert camps as well as camel and jeep safari. The visitors would also be able to see the ‘city of Nawabs’, unique places and museum in Bahawalpur as well as major forts of the desert – Dingarh Fort, Khan Garh, Bijnot Fort, Moujgarh Fort and Jamgarh Fort.

Asserting that tourism had become the sixth largest industry in the world, the minister said the Punjab government was focusing on the promotion of tourism and looking to attract foreigners to boost the country’s economy.

“The majestic Cholistan desert in particular and south Punjab in general are being launched as winter tourist destinations,” Mr Sarfraz said.

Dr Raheel Siddiqui, secretary to the chief minister, said Cholistan Desert Rally had come a long way since 2005 and asserted that it would be reflected on international calendar of sport events in the next two years.

Saying he was part of the 2005 jeep rally, Dr Siddiqui said the desert rally had become a major tourism activity in south Punjab.

TDCP managing director Ahmer Mallick said the Cholistan Desert Rally would be conducted in four, A, B, C and D categories, and as many in the stock class in petrol and diesel vehicles of different CC powers and brands. He said the ninth category would be for women.

Stating that rally arrangements had been completed, the TDCP MD said a prize of Rs5m would be offered to top five winners in each of the nine categories.

He said the rally route would cover some 220 kilometers in Bahawalpur and 240 kilometers in Bahawalnagar districts.

Houbara Foundation Pakistan representative Rana Kamaluddin also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2019