Daily Times

LAHORE: The 13th Cholistan Desert Rally will start in Cholistan on February 15 and will continue till February 18. The event will contain on cultural performances by local artistes, fireworks, overnight stays in secure desert camps, camel and a jeep safari.

The date of the event was announced by Senator Saud Majeed in a press briefing held at local hotel on Monday. TDCP Vice Chairman Imran Goraya, MD Tourism Ahmer Mallick, TDCP GM Operations Asjad Ghani and drivers attended the briefing.

On the occasion, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed between sponsors and TDCP. Saud Majeed said that the 13th TDCP Cholistan Desert Rally 2018 would comprise events spread over four days. Renowned drivers from all over Pakistan are participating, he said.

He said that the arrangements for rally had been completed. “This year the participation of other countries is also expected. Pakistani women drivers are also taking part in desert rally. A large number of tourists are expected to visit Cholistan during the rally,” he said.

Talking about the rally track, he said that occupying the far south of Punjab, Cholistan desert was the most picturesque desert in Pakistan. “Cholistan, locally known as ‘Rohi’ (a land of rolling sand dunes) is a continuation of the Thar desert in Sindh and Rajhisthan desert in India. Cholistan desert is about 483 km long and 64 to 290 km wide. Out of the total area 16,000 square kms is purely desert,” he said.

The Cholistan Desert Rally was first held in 2005 to promote southern Punjab as a winter tourist destination and to promote motor sports in Pakistan as well.

Published in Daily Times, January 30^th 2018.