Jhang to host first desert rally and three-day cultural festival in October

The District Administration Jhang is set to organise the first-ever Jhang Desert Rally and a three-day cultural festival

JHANG, September 26: The District Administration Jhang is set to organise the first-ever Jhang Desert Rally and a three-day cultural festival from October 9 to 11 in Tehsil 18-Hazari, Rehmat Abad, as part of efforts to promote tourism and showcase the district’s cultural heritage.

The event is being organised under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, with the administration aiming to introduce Jhang’s desert landscape, traditions, historical heritage and local culture to visitors from across Pakistan and abroad.

Deputy Commissioner Jhang Babar Sahib Din announced details of the event while addressing a press conference at the starting point of the proposed rally route. Former provincial assembly members Faisal Hayat Jaboana, Sultan Sikandar Bharwana, Rashida Yaqoob Sheikh and Khalid Ghani were among those present, along with Sahibzada Maulana Muhammad Asif Mavia, Ameer Abbas Sial, Mukarram Waheed Sheikh, district administration officials and representatives of civil society.

Speaking on the occasion, the deputy commissioner said the rally would include several categories for participants, including women, stock vehicles and veterans. Bike racing and other competitive activities would also form part of the programme.

He said the event was designed to go beyond a conventional racing competition by providing a platform to highlight Jhang’s natural landscapes, historical sites, cultural traditions and tourism potential.

Jhang has a distinctive geographical and cultural identity, with a significant portion of the Thal region located within the district. According to the district administration, around 6,000 square kilometres of the Thal area fall within Jhang. The district is also known for the confluence of the Chenab and Jhelum rivers, along with its historical sites, folk traditions and cultural heritage.

The administration plans to use the festival to present these features to a wider audience and position Jhang as an emerging tourism destination in Punjab.

Around 100 experienced drivers and riders from different parts of Pakistan are expected to participate in the desert rally. Tourists and visitors from other parts of the country and abroad are also expected to attend the three-day event.

According to the administration, participants will compete on a 95-kilometre desert track in the Thal region. The route is expected to provide a combination of motorsport, adventure and scenic desert landscapes for competitors and spectators.

A range of cultural and recreational activities has also been planned alongside the racing events. These include traditional Thal cultural performances, horse riding, horse dancing, traditional sports, folk music, kabaddi and volleyball.

A musical night will also be organised as part of the festival, providing entertainment for visitors and giving local artists an opportunity to showcase their performances.

The administration said food courts would be established at the event venue, while camping and residential facilities would be arranged in the Thal region for visitors and participants.

Officials said the festival would provide an opportunity to showcase Jhang’s traditional hospitality, folk heritage, sports and artistic traditions while creating greater public interest in the district’s tourism potential.

The district administration expressed hope that the first Jhang Desert Rally and Cultural Festival would attract visitors from across Pakistan and contribute to the promotion of local tourism and economic activity in the region.