MUZAFFARGARH: The eighth edition of Thal Jeep Rally concluded on Sunday with a glitzy cultural show and musical night after five days of intense competition between 46 drivers.

The otherwise arid area in three Punjab districts — Layyah, Muzaffargarh and Kot Addu — lit up with festivities and roaring sounds of motor vehicle engines as drivers covered the 196km bumpy track across multiple competitions in four days from Nov 9 to 12.

The event drew a huge number of spectators from across the country who witnessed enthralling competitions. On the last day, a cultural jhoomar party regaled the attendants.

Earlier, 43 male and three female drivers competed in the final round on the last day.

Over 40 drivers, including three women, participated in the last round

Taimur Khawaja triumphed in the prepared male category by covering the dirt track in the shortest time. He was followed by Mossadiq Khakwani and Shiraz Qureshi, who secured second and third spots, respectively.

A relative novice racer, Mr Khawaja won the title despite the presence of renowned racers, including Sahibzada Mohammed Ali Sultan, Nadir Magsi, Jafar Magsi, Asif Fazal Chaudhry and Zain Mehmood.

The senior racers could not complete their laps in the last round due to vehicle damage and malfunctions.

Mr Khawaja, who started in second position, covered the distance in 2 hours 24 minutes 36 seconds. Mr Khakwani’s time was 2 hours 25 minutes 32 seconds, while the third-place, Mr Shiraz, crossed the finish line in 3 hours 16 minutes 30 seconds.

In the female prepared category, Salma Marwat secured the first position, while Dina Patel and Rida Zainab came second and third, respectively.

Mr Khawaja said even though the track was “very good”, it still posed challenges for the drivers.

Talking to the media after his victory, the Lahore-based racer hoped the Thal Jeep Rally would become a successful racing competition in future.

Ms Patel said such recreational activities should be held every year so that people could enjoy them.

Talking about the arrangements, Muzaffargarh Deputy Commissioner Mian Usman Ali said organising a mega event was a big challenge, but the tourism department helped the administration in preparing the 196km track.

The track spanned across three districts — Muzaffargarh, Layyah and Kot Addu — and extensive security arrangements were made for the event, DC Ali said.

“Now, this event will be held every year,” he said, adding international drivers will also participate in future.

He called the rally a “great honour for Muzaffargarh district”.

Muzaffargarh District Police Officer Syed Hasnain Haider said several checkpoints were set up along the track to ensure strict security, and more than 600 policemen were deputed for security purposes.

Layyah Deputy Commissioner Khalid Parvaiz and DPO Asadul Rehman also visited the event.

The award distribution ceremony was held in Faisal Stadium, where the Dera Ghazi Khan commissioner and tourism department officials distributed the prizes.

They said such activities would flourish the district’s economy and promote the region’s cultural values at an intentional level.

While the spectators were largely satisfied with the arrangements, they complained the district administration did not set up any food street or carts around the venue.

On Saturday, Mohammad Marwat, who started second on the track, secured first position in the stock category, per unofficial results. He was followed by Mohammad Zohaib, who finished second.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2023