BAHAWALPUR, March 12: Muhammad Ashraf won the first position in category-A of the third desert jeep rally which ended late on Sunday night at historic Derawar Fort, about 70km from here.

He covered the 246km distance in four hours, 13 minutes and three seconds.

Mir Nadir Magsi of Balochistan bagged second position and Azam Hassan Bargari stood third.

In category-B, Mir Aamir Magsi of Balochistan was adjudged first who covered the distance in four hours, 17 minutes and 15 seconds. Asad Khuro and Syed Aamir Abbasi obtained second and third positions, respectively.

Shaheen Iqbal secured first position in category-C by covering the distance in four hours, 42 minutes and 17 seconds. Khan Muhammad and Ahmed Nawaz Khan stood second and third, respectively.

The rally was participated by about 80 drivers and owners, belonging to Lahore, Karachi, Balochistan and Bahawalpur wheel clubs.

Punjab Tourism Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal distributed prizes among position holders.

The minister announced that an international desert jeep rally would be organised in Cholistan in 2010, besides construction of a four-star hotel in Bahawalpur and a tourist resort at Derawar Fort.