A 4×4 vehicle crosses 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 at the picturesque Hund location along the Indus River in Swabi district on Sunday, attracting large crowds and showcasing high-octane motorsport action.
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 regions of the country took part in the competition, demonstrating exceptional driving skills on difficult and rugged terrain specially designed for the race. More than 50 racers took part, competing on a challenging three-kilometer track that tested both vehicle performance and driver endurance.
KPCTA Managing Director Muhammad Usman Mehsud was the chief guest on the occasion. He was accompanied by KPCTA Director Administration Shehryar Mahmood, Director Tourism Muhammad Ali Syed, Deputy 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 place and Imran in third. In the second category (0 to 3,000 cc), Abi took first place, while Raza Jan placed second and Raza SS finished third. In the female driver category, Marjan Yousafzai won first place, earning applause for her confident performance.
At the end of the event, DG KPCTA Muhammad Usman Mehsud distributed prizes to the winning drivers. Addressing the ceremony, he said the provincial government was making serious and sustained efforts to promote tourism across the province by initiating 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 created near the local dam to provide better recreational facilities to 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.
