he Cholistan Jeep Rally is an annual event. It takes place in the Cholistan desert of Pakistan. It is a thrilling and challenging competition that attracts participants and spectators from all over the world. The rally showcases the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region while testing the skills and endurance of the drivers and their vehicles.

The Cholistan desert, also known as Rohi, is a vast expanse of arid land covering an area of over 16,000 square kilometres. It is located in the southern part of the Punjab and extends into the neighbouring Sindh and Balochistan provinces. The desert is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including the famous Chinkara gazelle and the desert cat. The area is also rich in history. Over the centuries, it has been inhabited by various civilisations, including the Indus Valley Civilisation. From the Achaemenids to the Mughals, it has been part of several empires.

The rally was first organised in 2005 to promote tourism and showcase the beauty of the desert. The event is organised by the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) in collaboration with the Cholistan Development Authority (CDA). The rally is held over a period of three days and the drive covers a distance of approximately 500 kilometres.

The rally attracts participants from all over the world, including professional and amateur drivers, as well as local and international teams. The competition is divided into various categories: the prepared category, the stock category, and the women’s category. The prepared category is for vehicles modified for off-road use, while the stock category is for vehicles in their original factory condition.

The rally features various stages, including speed tests, obstacle courses and endurance tests. The speed tests are designed to test the maximum speed of the vehicles, while the obstacle courses are designed to test the manoeuvrability. The endurance tests are the most challenging. They require the drivers and their vehicles to navigate through the harsh terrain of the desert for long distances.

It has a rich competition history. Mir Nadar Magsi has dominated the event. His contribution to the promotion of the rally has been widely commended. So have the remarkable services of people like Prince Umer Daud Abbasi, Sahibzada Faiz-ur Rashid Abbasi, and Syed Awais Ahmad Gerdezi. With its growing popularity, the event has been drawing visitors from across the world. The tent city that springs up each year in Cholistan provides a source of livelihood for local people, making the rally a boon for the community. Among women drivers, Dina Patel, the daughter of senior Pakistan Motor Sports driver Ronnie Patel, has been a significant participant.

This year in the Prepared A category, Faisal Shadikhel clinched the first position by completing the race in 3 hours, 59 minutes, and 3 seconds. Zain Mehmood followed him closely to secure the runner-up position with a finishing time of 3 hours, 59 minutes and 9 seconds, while Asif Fazal Chaudhry came in third, completing the race in 4 hours, 4 minutes and 2 seconds.

In the Prepared B category, Jam Kamal Khan emerged as the winner, covering the race in 4 hours, 2 minutes and 25 seconds. Asad Shadikhel took the second position with a finishing time of 4 hours, 20 minutes and 36 seconds; and Shehryar Shadikhel claimed the third position by crossing the finish line in 4 hours, 27 minutes and 57 seconds.

The rally has become a major tourist attraction in Pakistan. It has helped promote the image of the country as a safe and welcoming destination for tourists.

In the Prepared C category, Zaheer Hussain Shah was the winner with a finishing time of 4 hours, 25 minutes and 59 seconds. Hammal Hoth secured the second position by completing the race in 4 hours 39 minutes and 19 seconds; Falaksher Khan finished third with a time of 4 hours, 41 minutes and 26 seconds.

In the Prepared D category, Shakil Ahmad Burchundi was declared the winner, completing the track in 4 hours, 27 minutes and 17 seconds. Umer Iqbal Kanju followed closely, securing the runner-up position with a finishing time of 4 hours, 30 minutes and 16 seconds. Zafar Balouch completed the podium by finishing the race in 4 hours, 31 minutes and 40 seconds.

In the Women Prepared category, Rashida Sultan took the top spot, completing the race in 1 hour, 56 minutes, and 54 seconds. Mahum Shiraz secured the runner-up position with a finishing time of 2 hours, 22 minutes and 45 seconds.

In the Stock A category, Taimoor Khawaja was declared the winner, covering the race in 2 hours, 16 minutes and 26 seconds. Hassan Ali Magsi secured the runner-up position with a finishing time of 2 hours, 16 minutes and 51 seconds; Aqeel Ahmad claimed the third position by finishing the race in 2 hours, 17 minutes and 56 seconds.

In the Stock B category, Bismillah Magsi secured the first position with a finishing time of 2 hours, 16 minutes and 4 seconds, followed by Rashid Ali, who finished the track in 2 hours, 22 minutes and 30 seconds, securing the second position. Sultan Bahadar Aziz finished third with a time of 2 hours, 23 minutes and 30 seconds.

In the Stock C category, Dawood Abbasi was declared the winner, completing the race in 2 hours, 35 minutes and 40 seconds. Hasnain-ul Haq secured the second position with a finishing time of 2 hours, 44 minutes and 42 seconds; Malik Babar Ijaz completed the podium with a time of 2 hours, 48 minutes and 59 seconds.

Falaksher Bloch emerged as the winner in the Stock D category, completing the race in 2 hours, 30 minutes and 37 seconds. Jameel Ahmadani came in second place with a time of 2 hours, 34 minutes and 44 seconds; while Noor Nabi Shami took the final podium spot, finishing in 2 hours, 35 minutes and 20 seconds. In the Women’s Stock category, Rubab Hayar finished first with 1 hour, 23 minutes and 40 seconds and Dina Rohinton Patel came in second, completing the track in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 14 seconds.

The rally has become a major tourist attraction in Pakistan. It has helped promote the image of the country as a safe and welcoming destination for tourists. The event has also contributed to the economic development of the region. It has created employment opportunities and generated revenue for local businesses.

The historic Derawar Fort, a magnificent relic of the erstwhile state of Bahawalpur, is a priceless cultural heritage of the region. It is, therefore, not surprising that local people are calling on the governments of Pakistan and the Punjab to take immediate action to restore the fort to its former glory. Once restored, the fort would make an ideal destination for tourists and provide a source of income for a people who currently lack access to some of the basic facilities. Given its rich history and stunning architecture, the fort has the potential to become a major attraction, drawing visitors from all over the world and helping promote the local economy.

The rally also faces various challenges, including environmental and safety issues. The desert ecosystem is fragile so that the event can have a negative impact on the natural habitat and wildlife of the region. In addition, the rally can be dangerous, as the high speeds and challenging terrain can lead to accidents and injuries. The organisers of the event have taken steps to address these concerns, including implementing safety measures and environmental protection protocols.

The Cholistan Jeep Rally is a unique and exciting event that showcases the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Cholistan desert. The event provides an opportunity for drivers and spectators to experience the thrill and challenge of off-road racing while also celebrating the culture and traditions of the region. The rally has become a major tourist attraction in Pakistan and has contributed to the economic development of the region. The organisers of the event must continue to address the environmental and safety concerns associated with the rally to ensure that it remains a sustainable and responsible event that benefits the local community and the country as a whole.