The district administration of Jhang is set to organise the first-ever Jhang Desert Rally and three-day cultural festival on October 9, 10 and 11, 2026, at Rehmatabad in Tehsil Athara Hazari.

The event is being organised under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to promote tourism in Punjab and highlight the province’s local culture, traditions and heritage.

Addressing a press conference at the starting point of the rally, Deputy Commissioner Jhang Babar Sahib Din said the event was aimed at introducing Jhang’s desert landscape, cultural heritage, traditions, historical and tourist sites, and natural beauty to domestic and international visitors.

Former members of the Punjab Assembly Faisal Hayat, Sultan Sikandar Bharwana, Rashida Yaqoob Sheikh and Khalid Ghani, along with Sahibzada Maulana Muhammad Asif Muawiya, Ameer Abbas Sial, Mukarram Waheed Sheikh, officials of the district administration and representatives of civil society attended the briefing.

The deputy commissioner said the desert rally would feature several categories, including a dedicated race for women. He said the event was not merely a racing competition but an effort to showcase Jhang’s distinct identity and promote its tourism potential.

Jhang is known for its extensive desert areas, including around 6,000 square kilometres of the Thal region, the confluence of the Chenab and Jhelum rivers, historical heritage, folk traditions and distinctive cultural identity.

According to the district administration, the event will provide a major platform to showcase these features at the national level. Around 100 skilled drivers and riders from across Pakistan are expected to participate, while tourists from different parts of the world are also expected to attend.

The rally will cover a 95-kilometre desert track, offering participants an adventure-driving experience across the Thal region. Camps for visitors and participants will also be established in the desert, along with a food court and residential facilities.

The three-day festival will feature a range of sporting, cultural and entertainment activities, including the desert rally, displays of Thal culture, horse riding, horse dancing, traditional games, folk music, kabaddi, volleyball and a musical night.

The district administration said the activities were designed to highlight Jhang’s indigenous culture, traditional sports, folk arts and hospitality while providing visitors with an opportunity to explore the area’s desert landscape and historical heritage.

Officials expressed hope that the event would help introduce Jhang’s tourism potential to visitors from across Pakistan and abroad and contribute to the promotion of the district as a cultural and adventure-tourism destination.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)