“If you find yourself in Rohi and it seems that you are not in Rohi but in a perfume market in France, then you can be certain that you are passing through the Katran zone of the desert”, says Shamoo Lal, whose family has been residing in Rohila since forever.

Cholistan, called Rohi in Seraiki language, is the bed of the Saraswati River that flowed here about 4,000 years ago. The Saraswati River has been mentioned in the Rig Veda and in post-Vedic texts. The deserted Rohi comes alive for four days every year when enthusiasts from all over the country arrive here to participate in the sandy desert jeep rally.

“There is no doubt that the Cholistan Jeep Rally is a big sporting event”, says Iqbal Wasim, a Seraiki nationalist. “The organisers often invite artists from Lahore and other cities to attend the rally. But promoting Cholistan’s culture and artists is the need of the hour. The artists residing in Cholistan should be given more time. The revenue generated from Jeep Rally should be used to ensure their welfare. Most of the revenue generated from the Jeep Rally should be spent here to provide facilities to the people of Cholistan.”

The Cholistan desert is spread over 6.6 million acres. It covers three key districts: Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan. A 500 kilometres long racing track is established for the rally. The rally not only attracts domestic racers but also some international race enthusiasts.

Talking to journalists, Tourism Secretary Asadullah Faiz says, “We have made state of the art arrangements for the 17th International Cholistan Jeep Rally besides inviting best singers from Lahore and other parts of the country.”

The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab organised the 17th edition of the International Cholistan Desert Rally this year for four days from February 11-14. 135 male and eight female racers participated in the rally this year. In the Stock category, the racers covered a distance of 231 kilometres; in the Prepared category, the race was run over a track 500 kilometres long. There was also a 130 kilometres long track for the two categories for women. A dirt bike race was held on a 50 kilometres long race track.

The qualifying round was held on February 11 and the first phase of the race among Prepared vehicles was held on February 12. Casual vehicles race was held on February 13. The second round of the race for Prepared vehicles was held on February 14.

Technically, the Stock category included casual, ordinary vehicles without any alteration, upgrade or physical change. Prepared category vehicles included highly altered, upgraded vehicles, prepared for unpaved roads, ditches and sand dunes. Each Prepared vehicle is overhauled at the end of a race.

Stock and Prepared vehicles were further divided into four categories, A, B, C, and D. The categories are based on the brake horse power of the vehicles. There is no ceiling in A category except an exclusive class or female racers.

Nadir Magsi, one of the racers, has won 12 races out of 16 races held here, including the International Cholistan Jeep Rally, 2021. However, this year his nephew Jafar Magsi came first. One of the younger racers from Bahawalpur, Zain Mehmood, left the race after his vehicle went out of order in the second round of the Prepared category.

TDCP Regional Manager Ashar Malik tells The News on Sunday (TNS), the International Cholistan Desert Rally started in 2005 and has since grown by leaps and bounds. It attracted around 400,000 people this year.

The event can help promote a soft image of Pakistan abroad. Besides, it highlights the beauty of south Punjab’s landscape. Besides promoting tourism, such events also enhance the livelihood opportunities for the locals. The prime objective of holding this event in the heart of the Cholistan desert is to showcase its history and rich culture and open the area as a winter tourist destination.

The writer is bureau chief of The News in Multan. He may be reached at trisign69@yahoo.com