PESHAWAR: The Derajat cultural festival in northwestern Pakistan kicked off with its first off-road jeep race in the desert of Dera Ismail Khan on Friday, featuring top Pakistani men and women riders.
For years, the Derajat festival has been a mixture of traditional sports but the provincial government had to cancel the events this year over coronavirus fears. The form of the jeep race, however, allowed adherence to health guidelines. All participants had to submit negative COVID-19 test results to join the competition.
“The 4x4 challenge is being held with adherence to corona SOPs,” Faisal Amin Gandapur, a provincial assembly member from Dera Ismail Khan, told Arab News.
“The event will convey a message of peace and depict the centuries old hospitable tradition of this region,” he said.
Off-road jeeps are ready for the Derajat race in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on March 26, 2021. (Photo courtesy: KP Tourism Authority)
The 120-kilometer race organized by the tourism authority of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province leads along the western route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from the sandy desert of Panyala, through Rehmani Khel area to Giloti village. Sixty-five men and women riders took part in the qualifying round, including Jaffar Magsi, Nadir Magsi, Sultan Bahadur, Babar Khan, Salma Khan Marwat, Maheem Sheraz and Jamila Asif.
The three-day race is divided into the stock category, women’s category, local category and professional category.
During 2-kilometer qualifiers, Sultan Bahadur clinched the first position after he covered the track in 1:53 minutes, Zain Mahmood stood second with 1:54 minutes and Asif Fazal Chaudhry ranked third with 1:55 minutes. In the stock category, Sahibzada Fakhar stood first with 1:55 minutes.
Spectators watch racers cross the sands during the Derajat race in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on March 26, 2021. (Photo courtesy: KP Tourism Authority)
After the qualifying round, Bahadur told reporters that the terrain was more difficult compared to other tracks in Punjab and Sindh provinces.
“I really appreciate the local government and the entire management of Derajat festival for making hectic efforts to make this long track,” he said. “And I congratulate people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Dera Ismail Khan to have this great motor sports event in the area.”
Jamila Asif said the Derajat rally was promising not only as the first 4x4 race of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but also because of women’s participation.
“This is a promising venture for the participants and the local people. If we see this event from a women perspective, I can say that it is a positive step toward women empowerment because women can demonstrate their skills here,” she said. “It will bolster the image of Pakistan.”
