BAHAWALPUR, March 15: Draws for the first-ever major event in Cholistan, the desert jeep rally, were held on Tuesday.

The draws paved the way for the flag-off of 78 jeeps on Wednesday morning.

The district government of Bahawalpur which is holding the rally in collaboration with the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) made elaborate arrangements for the general public and the VIPs for overnight stay at Derawar fort.

The rally will be held in two stages, i.e. day and night. The starting and finishing point for both stages would be Derawar fort.

The first stage of about 266km from Derawar fort would start on Wednesday morning while the second stage will begin at night on Wednesday and cover a distance of 148km ending on Thursday morning.

The day and night rallies will touch and pass through the remains of Nawakote, Bijnot and Khangah.

The rally will then move on to Bahawalpur’s Noor Mahal. Prizes among the winners will be distributed on Thursday night.

There will be six cash prizes of Rs100000, Rs75,000 and Rs50,000 for each of the first, second and third positions as the participants have been divided into two categories.