LAHORE/DERA GHAZI KHAN: The 10th Thal Jeep Rally concluded on Sunday after four days of events in the Thal desert. The rally, organised by the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP), covered the areas in Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Kot Addu and Jhang districts.

Over 100 racers from across Pakistan participated in various categories. The rally included three main competition categories: Stock, Prepared and Women. The stock and prepared categories were further divided into four sub-categories each.

Faisal Shadi Khel won the prepared category by completing the 200km track in two hours, 10 minutes and 18 seconds. Nadir Magasi secured second position with a time of two hours, 14 minutes and 57 seconds. Muhammad Raza Saeed finished third with a time of two hours, 15 minutes and 47 seconds.

In Women’s Category, Salma Khan Marwat won first place while Dina Patel secured second position. Muhammadullah Marwat won the stock category.

The rally featured additional competitions including dirt bike and buggy races. Saqib Shah finished first in the dirt bike race. Fifteen riders participated in this category.

Talking to the media, a dirt bike racer said the participants demonstrated their skills for spectators. Buggy racer Nadeem Khan noted the event’s growing popularity, saying that international participants were beginning to attend it too.

Alongside the motorsports events, the organisers had arranged a musical performance and traditional games, including kabaddi, bull races, camel dances and tent pegging. Teams from various districts participated in these events.

The TDCP initiated the Cholistan Jeep Rally in 2005. The Thal Desert Rally was established following requests from residents of south Punjab for a similar event in the Thal desert. Spectators attended from multiple districts across southern Punjab. Many set up camps in the desert area to observe the events. Local vendors established temporary stalls near event locations. Services included food and transportation for attendees.

The event represents part of efforts to promote tourism in southern Punjab during winter months. Officials indicate the rally will continue as an annual event. The organisers provided medical and security services throughout the four-day event. No major incidents were reported during the competitions. They stated that planning for next year’s rally will begin in the coming months. The success of this year’s event indicates continued interest in desert motorsports in Pakistan.

According to the provisional results, in the stock A category, Muhammadullah Marwat secured the top position by completing the distance in the shortest time of 2 hours, 27 minutes and 36 seconds. He was followed by Syed Asef Imam who finished in second place with 2 hours, 37 minutes and 45 seconds.

In the stock B category, Azmer Saranjam claimed the first place with a leading time of 2 hours, 26 minutes and 39 seconds. Muhammad Ryan Khalil finished as the runner-up, completing the route in 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 47 seconds.

The stock C category was won by Muhammad Hassan who set the fastest time of 2 hours, 37 minutes and 55 seconds. Zubair Hayat took second place with a time of 2 hours, 44 minutes and 37 seconds.

In the stock D category, Usama Haraj emerged victorious, finishing in 2 hours, 33 minutes and 48 seconds. Falak Sher followed in second place, completing the distance in 2 hours, 42 minutes and 30 seconds.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2025