Asif Fazal Chaudhry secured a triumph in the final stage of the 9th Thal Jeep Rally, completing the course in 18.3 minutes. Faisal Shadikhel took second place with a time of 18.12 minutes, while Sahibzada Mohammed Ali Sultan claimed third with 18.16 minutes. Well-known racer Nadir Magsi’s vehicle veered off the track, placing him fourth.
Due to dense fog, the Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan (TDCP) reduced the race distance, establishing the midpoint as the new endpoint. Initially, the race began and concluded at Head Muhammadwala, but the overall distance was shortened to 30km.
The rally’s commencement was postponed because of the fog, with Kot Addu Deputy Commissioner Syed Manwar Abbas Bukhari starting the race once the conditions cleared. Thirty-four participants, including three women, competed in the event.
This victory marked Asif Fazal Chaudhry’s second win at the rally, having previously emerged victorious in 2019. In a media interview, he praised the track’s standard but admitted the difficulty caused by the fog.
Dina Patel, the female champion in the prepared category, pointed out that the rally also serves as a delightful recreational event for the public every year.
International racer Asif Ali, who had been injured the previous day when his car flipped over, repaired it and resumed the race. He mentioned that this was his debut at the rally, having traveled from the UK.
The event attracted a large crowd from across Pakistan, including onlookers who came to see renowned international drivers. The prize distribution ceremony was held at Faisal Stadium, where Dera Ghazi Khan’s commissioner and tourism officials presented awards.
Muzaffargarh Deputy Commissioner Quratul Ain acknowledged the difficulties in organizing the event but credited the tourism department and district administrations of Kot Addu and Layyah for their cooperation in preparing the 195km course.
Kot Addu DC Syed Munawar Abbas Bukhari expressed pride in hosting such a prestigious international event, noting that the rally’s route began at Head Muhammadwala in Kot Addu and stretched to the boundary of Layyah district before returning to the starting point.
District Police Officer Syed Hasnain Haider mentioned that more than 800 police officers were stationed at checkpoints for security, with Layyah DC Ameera Baidar and DPO Ali Waseem also inspecting the route.
The rally’s cultural activities featured Jhoomer dance and folk music in Layyah’s Chobara tehsil, although the venue faced some challenges, such as the absence of food stalls, despite the presence of dance, Kabaddi, javelin, and other sporting events at the Thal Cultural Fair.
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