BAHAWALPUR: As stage for the 18th edition of the international Cholistan jeep rally is set for Feb 8, the organisers have taken new initiatives for the recreation of visitors to the vast desert to project the soft image of not only of Pakistan and Cholistan but also highlight the heritage of defunct state of Bahawalpur.

According to rally`s focal organiser/Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar, as [about] 500,000 people, including visitors, tourists and spectators from across the country are expected here during their five-day stay to enjoy the historic event, it warranted that they should be entertained with a variety of functions.

The latest initiative taken by the administration is `City Parade` on Wednesday (Feb 8) to be held from Library Chowk to DC Chowk. It is expected to be participated in by a large people from all walks of life. As the City Parade is a part of the festivities of the jeep rally, the runners and participants would also be enlightened about the heritage and monuments of the historic Bahawalpur city.

City Assistant Commissioner (AC) Dr. Anum Fatimah chaired a meeting on Monday to finalise arrangements for the City Parade event.

She said a ihoomar party would also be organised and local artisans and artists would perform while a cultural float would be accompanying the runners.She said a food street would also be set up inside Farid Gate for visitors in addition to the already decided food street in Cholistan at Derawar Fort for tourists and the participating drivers.

It merits mentioning that the administration had organised some days back two new functions of Serail
In addition, during the jeep rally days, a number of events like food street, musical night, fireworks, camel dance, tent pegging and paragliding would be held. The visitors would also be provided with tents to install them in the vast desert to set up a `tent village` there.

The administration has also given special attention to beef up security for the annual function in Cholistan.

In this connection, new Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rai Babar Saeed during his inspection of the venue took stocl< of the security arrangements.

According to PRO Saqib Ajmal, over 200 police officials would be deployed while services of 110 traffic personnel, members of Elite Force, SP Unit, the experts of CTD and special branch would also be acquired.

Meanwhile, according to an official handout issued here on Monday,Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has instructed strict security measures for the visitors and stressed to ensure that that there is no overcharging by the hotels and restaurants. The CM also asked the cellular companies to ensure rectification of their mobile telephone towers in Cholistan.

The handout said the CM was briefed about the mega event and the infrastructure available there.

JAIL TERM: Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Nasir Hussain sentenced Sajjad and Muhammad Naeem to 14 years in prison and a Rs1 million fine in an acid assault case in the Qaimpur police station limits on Monday.

According to the prosecution, the convicts attacked Nabila Tanveer in March 2022 out of enmity. They were apprehended by Qaimpur police on terror-related charges.

VIGIL: The administrations and civil society activists of Bahawalpur and Lodhran districts organised candlelight vigils for the martyrs of the Peshawar bombing at their respective headquarters.

In Bahawalpur, the vigil was conducted at Khatm-i-Nubuwat Chowlc, and a significant number of civil society activists and government officials attended and prayed for the police officers. In Lodhran, police and district administration officials joined the vigil at the district council. Correspondent