MUZAFFARGARH: Mir Nadir Magsi led the qualifying round of the 9th Thal Jeep Rally on Friday with an impressive time of 1 minute and 34 seconds on a 3-km track.

This year’s rally features 86 registered vehicles across various categories where strong competition is expected through the desert terrain.

In the pre-paired category, Mr Magsi secured the first place followed closely by Faisal Shadikhel, who finished in 1 minute and 34 seconds with 61 points. Asif Fazal Chaudhry took third, completing the track in 1 minute and 35 seconds.

The stock category saw Syed Asif Imam secure the top spot with a time of 1 minute and 46 seconds. Among the women racers, Dina Patel took first position with a time of 1 minute and 51 seconds. Making her debut at the Thal Rally, Karachi resident Ambreen Faraz said earlier she had participated in Hub rally.

However, the day’s excitement was marred by an accident that left racer Asif Ali seriously injured after his vehicle, No 310, overturned before reaching the track. Emergency personnel from Rescue 1122, prepared with 70 rescuers and emergency vehicles stationed at 17 key points, administered first aid at the scene.

Smog posed challenge on the second day as it delayed the rally’s start after visibility plummeted. The race was originally scheduled for 9am but it was postponed until the smog levels eased, allowing for safer driving conditions. The smog not only disturbed the rally schedule but also affected the people who had gathered to watch the event.

The rally is part of a larger cultural fair held in Chobara tehsil, Thal Desert. Various stalls, music performances and traditional displays have attracted people from across the region. The district administration arranged free transport for fans to join the festivities. Famous singers performed at the event.

In a related development, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Malik Shoaib Amir announced a boycott of the rally. He alleged that the event had been politicised. According to Mr Amir, the district administration had blocked his vehicles from participating and placed his residence under heavy police presence. He criticised the administration for ‘turning a cultural event into a political and revenge festival’.

Layyah DPO Ali Waseem could not be reached for comment on the alleged political interference were unsuccessful.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2024