BAHAWALPUR: Commissioner Musarrat Jabeen inaugurated the 21st International Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally at a colourful function on Tuesday.

According to a press release, Bahawalpur Corps Commander Lt-Gen Muhammad Aqeel was the chief guest. The trophy was also unveiled One hundred and twenty drivers from across the country, including women, are participating in the rally. The participating drivers would cover a 500km long track in the desert, touching the boundaries of three districts of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan. Special cultural functions would also be staged throughout the rally’s five days at each of the district headquarters.

After the completion of drivers’ registration tomorrow (Wednesday) Feb 11, their vehicles would be technically checked/inspected followed by a drivers’ conference at the rally venue near Derawar Fort in Cholistan. The most contested and much-awaited interesting qualifying round of the rally will start from Dilwash Stadium on Feb 12. The rally’s main function of flag off ceremony will be held on Feb 13. On Feb 14, there would be a stock category’s race, followed by the cultural night and fireworks display at the venue.

Thousands of visitors are expected to reach Cholistan. The Feb 15 would be the last day of the event, when the second and final round of the men and women’s categories to be held followed by dirt bike race, truck race and finally prize-distribution at TDCP resort in Derawar.

A food street and different events like camels race, goats show and wrestling competitions would also be held. The crumbling building of Derawar Fort, whose portions, including the front elevation adjacent to the main entrance gate, have been restored by the archaeology department recently. Its adjacent newly-constructed buildings have been tastefully illuminated to mark the annual jeep rally.

The security plan has been finalised with the deployment of 1,600 security personnel in addition to 499 traffic police officials to control the traffic in the desert and roads leading to the jeep rally’s venue in Cholistan.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2026