BAHAWALPUR: Sahibzada Sultan won the first round in the 220-kilometre Category A of the prepared class on the opening day of 16th Cholistan Jeep Rally at Dilwish Stadium in the desert, about 70km from here.

Moreover, 15 vehicles broke down during the competition, while their drivers remained unhurt.

According to the preliminary results, Sahibzada Sultan covered 220km in an hour, 51 minutes and a second. He was closely followed by Jaffar Magsi, who stood second in the first round and covered the distance in an hour and 55 minutes. Former champion Nadir Magsi clinched the third spot.

Zain Mahmood Chaudhry, who stood second in the qualifying round, could not compete further after his vehicle broke down during the race. The vehicle of his uncle, former senator Saood Majid Chaudhry, also broke down, dropping him out of the competition.

Talking to Dawn over the phone, Dr Raheel Siddiqui and Dr Noorullah, who participated in the C class, said that Owais, Nauman and Asad won the first, second and third positions, respectively in the B category. In the prepared class’s C category, Syed Zafar, Gohar and Mehmood ranked first, second and third, while in the D category Umer, Shaikh (his partner) and Zafar clinched the first, second and third spots, respectively.

Those who won Friday’s preliminary round in the prepared category will now participate in the second round on the last day of the rally on Sunday, covering 165km. The final results would be announced at the prize distribution ceremony.

Around 43 drivers participated in the first round of the prepared category of the rally on Friday. Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab Board of Directors Chairman Dr Sohail Zafar Cheema flagged off the ceremony in the desert.

On Saturday, the stock and women category races will be held.

ACCIDENT: Three family members were killed in a road accident on M-5 at Jhangra Sharqi near Uch Sharif, about 70km from here on Thursday night.

According to Rescue 1122 sources, Shahid lost control over his car while travelling to Lahore and it collided with a tractor trolley. Shahid, his wife Shaheen and brother-in-law Athar were killed, while their two-year-old son escaped unhurt.

BURN INURIES: A man suffered serious burns when a cylinder exploded while decanting on Ghalla Mandi Road in Ahmedpur East on Thursday night.

According to Rescue 1122, due to the blast, the roof of Noor Muhammad’s room where he was decanting the cylinder blew away and he sustained burns. He was shifted to the Ahmedpur East THQ Hospital where his condition was stated to be serious.

Police reached the scene and began legal proceedings against the Muhammad.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2021