Sunday, March 05, 2006
Cholistan Jeep Rally from 10th to 12th

www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp

LAHORE: The second Cholistan Jeep Rally will be held from March 10 to 12 to highlight Cholistan’s cultural assets, said TDCP Managing Director Irfan Ali at a press conference at the Punjab Civil Services Mess on Saturday. The rally has been organised by the Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP) and a cellular company. Irfan said the Houbara Foundation (the major sponsor), Bhawalpur district government and TDCP organised the rally for the first time in 2005, which was attended by thousands of people.

He said that Cholistan had several attractions and TDCP had organised the event to promote tourism. Seventy-nine people participated in the rally last year and the participation of 70 to 80 people was expected this year, he said, adding that last year’s rally had been a success and TDCP had managed to achieve most of its objectives. He said that in addition to the promotion of sports, the cultural and historical heritage of south Punjab had also been highlighted. He said there would be three categories for the race: 3,100 CC vehicles (diesel) or above and 2,000 CC vehicles or above (petrol) would make up Category A, 1,700 CC (diesel) to 3,000 CC vehicles and 1,500 CC (petrol) to 2,000 CC vehicles would make up Category B and 1,600 CC vehicles and 1,000 CC to 1,4 CC vehicles would make up Category C. TDCP Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal said Jeep rally would introduce south Punjab’s monuments to the rest of the country and abroad as well because of the participation of foreigners. He said the rally would help eradicate poverty and unemployment from the area. Aslam said the government was trying to make the Cholistan Jeep Rally an international event, but the department required capacity building in this regard. staff report