GILGIT: The 5th edition of the Sarfaranga Cold Desert Rally concluded with a colourful cultural event on Sunday.

The event witnessed the participation of over 100 racers from across the country who competed at the 80km-long track. A total of 18 local drivers, including three women, also participated in the race.

Sarfaranga, known as the world’s highest cold desert, is perched at an elevation of 7,500 feet in the Shigar district of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Adil Naeem secured the first position in Prepared Category A by covering the 80km track in 48 minutes.

Qasim secured the first position in Prepared Category B, while Osama Umeer secured the first position in Prepared Category C. Zafar Baloch won the first position in Prepared Category D.

Around 100 racers participated in event from across Pakistan

Muhammad Marwat secured the first position in Category Stock A, while Mikael Ali won the first position in Category Stock B.

In Category Stock C, Rashid Abdullah got the first position, and in Category Stock D, Falak Sher emerged as the winner.

Gul Nasreen won the first position in the women’s category.

Other than the main race, the event also included a motorbike race, zakh (raft) competition, free-style polo matches, sword dances, musical performances, cultural dances, rock climbing, horse riding, Mayfang, musical night, paragliding, tug-of-war, javelin throw and tent pegging.

There were also 135 stalls selling local foods, gemstones and handicrafts.

On Saturday, 12 men participated in the raft competition that took place at Blind Lake in Shigar. Shigar team won the free-style polo match.

The three-day event brought a wave of excitement in Shigar as tourists and sports enthusiasts from all over Pakistan and around the world flocked to witness the action-packed race.

A German tourist also attended the event after travelling from Germany to Pakistan on a bike.

“We didn’t have high expectations, but we had a lot of fun and enjoyed ourselves here,” said the tourist.

The event closed with a mesmerising musical and cultural show highlighting the rich local music traditions and heritage of the region.

The closing ceremony on Sunday was attended by GB Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, local ministers, members of the GB assembly, officials and a large number of locals and tourists.

Mr Shah, who was the chief guest, paid tribute to organisers, including the tourism department, for organising the desert rally.

He said the event will become the identity of Pakistan at the global level.

The governor said adventure tourism in GB will promote economic and tourism activities and highlight the region’s positive image.

Speaking on this occasion, GB Tourism Secretary Asifullah Khan said the Sarfaranga Cold Desert Rally has become an important means of economic development and tourism activities in the region.

He said the private sector managed to do a business of Rs23 million during the three-day event.

The rally was not confined to a car racing competition, but many traditional and cultural activities had been included to explore the tourism potential in the region, said Mr Khan.

“For the first time local people have been involved in this event to give them ownership of the activities,” he added.

Shigar Deputy Commissioner Wali­­ullah Falahi said the event got natio­nal and international recognition.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2023