BAHAWALPUR: Nadir Magsi maintained his supremacy in the opening round of the 15th Cholistan jeep rally prepaid category on Friday.

Mr Magsi covered the 220 kilometre distance in the shortest time -- 2 hours, 23 minutes and 56 seconds. He was followed by Asif Saeed who finished the race in 2 hours, 29 minutes and 24 seconds and Jaffar Imran who was at the third position with 2 hours, 30 minutes and 47 seconds.

Zain Mahmood who represented a club from Bahawalpur, bagged seventh position. He covered the distance in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 14 seconds, according to the information provided to Dawn by Dr Raheel Ahmed Siddiqui, one of the participants.

There were reports that a vehicle of a participant overturned but the driver remained unhurt while Sahibzada Sultan’s jeep broke down at midpoint and Nadir Magsi’s vehicle also developed a fault.

The second and final round of the prepaid vehicles’ rally would be held on Sunday (tomorrow).

Meanwhile, according to the official information, as many as 58 vehicles participated in the first round of the prepaid category rally at the Derawar Fort. They covered a distance of 220km on Friday but Sunday’s contest would have 246km. After completion of the second round of the category, final results would be compiled and announced for the prize-distribution ceremony the same day.

The 220km rally of the 76 stock category vehicles would be held on Saturday morning. Four women Ms Salma, Ms Maham, Ms Jameela and Ms Tushna Patel would participate for a 120km distance.

A Dirt Bike rally would also be held in Cholistan for the first time on Feb 16 and 25 bikers are expected to participate; they would cover a distance between 12 and 15 kilometres.

The jeep rally was inaugurated by Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal who performed the flag-off ceremony. He told the media that the event played a vital role in strengthening the economy of this area. He said the jeep rally would project the soft image of Pakistan, especially Cholistan, across the globe besides promoting inter-provincial harmony.

One of the participants during previous years, Mr Kamal said the government’s vision to promote tourism would turn around the fate of the country.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar’s adviser (TDCP) Asif Mehmood who also joined the flag-off ceremony, spoke about the government efforts to promote tourism.

The district administration and police put in place security measures in and around the venue where a tent village had been set up for the stay of tourists, jeep drivers, visitors and government officials.

A good number of people thronged the venue and enjoyed the festivities that are an integral part of the jeep rally. A paraglider also demonstrated his skills.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2020