The provincial tourism department would organise the much-awaited 500-KM long 18th International Cholistan Desert Rally from Feb 07 to 12 at the historic Derawar Fort in the expanse of the Cholistan desert. More than 150 motorists would test their driving skills in this annually held nerve-racking event. Caretaker Minister for Information & Culture Punjab Amir Mir stated this while addressing a presser at DGPR on Monday. While giving details, the minister added that the rally would contain nine categories; eight for stock and prepaid vehicles while the ninth would be for women drivers. The five million rupees prize money would be distributed among the winners, he said and added that women motorists of Pakistan, as well as international drivers, would take part in this rally covering the 500-KM route in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan. The minister informed that culture night, fireworks, tent village, camel race, traditional kabaddi and javelin throw competitions would also be organized. Similarly, a team of paragliders would partake in the rally, he added and concluded that the event would open new vistas of development in the vast outback of this desert. Tourism Secretary Ehsan Bhutta explained that the purpose of organizing the event was to highlight the centuries-old traditional lifestyle of Cholistan and Derawar Fort before the world. The event would also project south Punjab as a winter resort for tourists. In fact, desert motorsports have become the biggest event in Pakistan, he added.