“Cholistan Jeep Rally” would be started from February 13

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Education and Tourism, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan has said that history of Cholistan desert is spreading over centuries but Cholistan Jeep Rally has given real identity to this historical heritage.

He expressed these views while addressing a special function held on the occasion of completion of first decade of the biggest motor sports event “Cholistan Jeep Rally”, here today. The Minister said that Punjab government has decided to hold 10^th national rally of four wheel jeeps over distance of 225 kilometer from Fort Derawar to inner parts of Cholistan from February 13 to 15 in which more than three lakh persons will participate.

An agreement was signed between Managing Director Tourism Development Corporation Punjab Aamir Malik and Marketing Head Mountain Dew Usman Shahid for the sponsorship of Cholistan Jeep Rally. Tourism Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, concerned authorities and former Governor Punjab Lt. Gen. Khalid Maqbool especially participated in the ceremony.

Vice Chairman TDCP Board of Governor Imran Ali Goraya, Secretary Tourism Muhammad Khan Khitchi, Chief Executive Walled City Project Kamran Lashari, Chairman Chief Minister’s Inspection Team Irfan Ali, Chairman Cholistan Task force Saood Majeed, Chief Executive Royal Palm Country Club Sheikh Muhammad Ramzan, Champion drivers Ronny, Patel, Tushna Patel, Mehmood Majeed, Nawabzada Aamir Magsi, Sardar Hassan Sadiq, Muhammad Ashraf, representative of Obara Foundation Col. (R) Kamal Din Rana apprised the people of salient features of Cholistan jeep rally and termed it an important source for creating awareness all over the world about socio economic development and desert civilization.

Rana Mashhood said that Punjab government has improved road network from Bahawalpur to ancient Fort Derawar. He said that we have to maintain this desert of historical importance in its real condition for which international institutions will be contacted. He said that present government accords top priority to promotion of tourism.

Projects of installation of cable car at Soon Valley of district Khushab and Fort Munro at Dera Ghazi Khan are in the final stages of completion while tourist bus service will be started within next two months for the facility of tourists in Lahore, the largest cultural hub of the country.