A 4×4 vehicle drives through the Indus River during the 14th Indus River Cross Jeep Race in Hund, Swabi. Photo: Express
SWABI:
The 14th Indus Water Cross Jeep Race was held on Sunday at the scenic Hund site along the River Indus in Swabi district, attracting large crowds and showcasing high-octane motorsport.
The event was jointly organized by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) and Frontier 4×4 Club, as part of ongoing efforts to promote adventure tourism in the province.
Drivers from different parts of the country participated in the competition and displayed exceptional driving skills on a tough and uneven terrain specially designed for the race. More than 50 racers took part and competed on a challenging three kilometer course that tested both vehicle performance and driver endurance.
Director General KPCTA, Muhammad Usman Mehsud was the chief guest on the occasion. He was accompanied by Director Administration KPCTA Shehryar Mahmood, Director Tourism Muhammad Ali Syed, Assistant Commissioner Saddam Bajwa and other notable officials and guests.
The Indus Water Cross Jeep Race featured competitions in three different categories. In the first category (0 to 6000cc), Baryal Khan secured the first position, followed by Baseer Khan in second and Imran in third. The second category (0 to 3000cc) saw Abi win first place, while Raza Jan came second and Raza SS came third. In the female driver category, Marjan Yousafzai took the top spot and was applauded for her confident performance.
At the end of the event, DG KPCTA Muhammad Usman Mehsud distributed prizes among the winning drivers. Addressing the ceremony, he said the provincial government was making serious and sustained efforts to promote tourism across the province by launching and supporting various tourism-related projects.
He announced that Hund Park in Swabi would soon be developed under a public-private partnership model, adding that a picnic area would also be established near the local dam to provide better recreational facilities for visitors.
The successful organization of the jeep race not only highlighted the region’s potential for adventure sports but also reinforced Hund’s growing status as a tourist destination in KP.
