CHAKWAL: The district’s first ever Jeep Rally that culminated Sunday night drew a huge crowd and aimed at setting Chakwal up as a new tourist destination.

Provincial Minister for Higher Education Department and Tourism Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfraz was invited as the chief guest at Sunday’s closing ceremony, while earlier that day Minister for National Health Services Aamer Kiani flagged of the racers.

A total of 43 people participated in the race, which took place on a challenging 22 kilometre track. They were cheered on by spectators who occupied mounds so they could watch the thrilling event.

Nosherwan Tiwana came first in the A category, while Asif Imam and Asad Marwat came first in the B and C categories, respectively. In the women’s category Salma Marwat Khan from Karachi won first place and Asima Raza Siddiqui from Lahore stood at second place.

Amazed to see such a challenging track coupled with bewitching natural beauty, one of the winners says

Speaking at flag off ceremony, Mr Kiani said foreign countries profit greatly from the tourism industry.

“Turkey earns $42 billion while Malaysia earns $22bn annually from the tourism industry. Our country too possesses an ideal position when it comes to natural landscapes,” he said, adding that nature has blessed Chakwal with numerous fascinating sites that could help promote tourism.

At the prize distribution, Mr Sarfraz said the very purpose of holding the first ever jeep rally in Chakwal was to bring the district’s natural beauty into the limelight.

“Such events showcase the area in which they are held. We want to introduce Chakwal as a tourist destination. Due to the Jeep Rally, Chakwal is being discussed in the media as a new destination for tourists,” he said

He added that with the help of the World Bank, a plan to promote tourism in Chakwal is on the table.

The Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) is already working on the Chakwal Park Way project, he said, under which signboards will be used to highlight Chakwal’s sites and facilities will be provided at these spots.

The racers looked excited to have taken part in the rally.

“I was amazed to see such a challenging track coupled with bewitching natural beauty,” Ms Siddiqui, who placed second in the women’s category, told Dawn.

She said she had come to Chakwal for the first time and was surprised to find such a challenging track just a two hours’ drive from Lahore.

“First we used to go for jeep rallies by travelling 14 hours in remote areas,” she said, adding: “I hope the Chakwal Jeep Rally becomes an annual events.”

She also said the width and length of the track should be increased.

TDCP Manager Events and International Tourism Fayyaz Ahmed said that before the rally, Chakwal was a hidden treasure.

“This rally will prove a landmark in exploring the natural beauty of Chakwal, which is blessed with numerous lakes, dams, peaks and heritage sites,” he said, adding that the track will be increased to 50-60 kilometres, and widened as well.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2019