BAHAWALPUR: The 14th Cholistan jeep rally formally kicked off with the flag-off ceremony performed by Divisional Commissioner Nayyar Iqbal at Dilwish Stadium near the Derawar Fort, about 70 kilometres from here, on Friday.

Scores of officials of 19 government departments turned up at the venue to ensure befitting arrangements for Cholistan’s cultural landmark. A good number of people from the length and breadth of the country came to enjoy the festivities and the drivers had already reached the venue on Thursday for the qualifying round.

Nadir Magsi was the first driver to have been flagged off on Friday for being adjudged first in Thursday’s qualifying round. Friday was reserved for the first phase for the drivers and owners participating in the jeep rally’s pre-paid category in which, according to official information, fifty drivers participated in the 220km long distance rally. The category racers would have overnight stay at Marot (that falls within the revenue jurisdiction of Bahawalpur) and on Feb 16 (Saturday), they would cover the distance of 246km in their second phase. Their performance in both the phases would be counted for the final results.

The order of some of the notable competitors’ departure was recorded as follows: Nadir Magsi at 9am, Babar Khan at 9.03am, Zain Mahmood at 9.06am, Muhammad Asif Fazal Chaudhry at 9.09am, Jaffar Magsi at 9.12 am, Nosherwan Tiwana at 9.15am, Asad Khuro at 9.18am, Nauman Khan Saran at 9.21 am, Sahibzada Sultan Muhammad Ali at 9.24am and Asif Imam at 9.30am.

A close competition was expected between Nadir Magsi, who has won the title many times, and Sahibzada Sultan Muhammad Ali.

The 69 or so stock category drivers would demonstrate their driving skills in the desert on Feb 16.

There is a separate category for the women drivers who would be on the track on Saturday. Three women competitors are expected to participate. As many as 121 out of 160 people had qualified for the competition.

The cultural show in connection with the event will be held on Saturday night near the rally venue.

GANGS: Regional Police Officer Imran Mahmood claims that police have smashed 15 gangs of burglars and arrested their 43 members this year in the three districts of the Bahwalpur police range.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2019