SARFARANGA 2023 – COLD DESERT JEEP RALLY TO STARTING FROM 6 TO 8 OCTOBER IN THE WORLD’S HIGHEST DESERT IN BALTISTAN

Pakistan has been bestowed with the most eye-catching and worth-visiting tourist sites in the world but how the corporate sector looks at the importance of the tourism potential can be estimated on that Secretary of Tourism GB sent proposals for sponsorship of The fifth edition of Sarfaranga Cold Desert Rally to 300 companies and business groups but no one answered even, let alone Yes or No. Serena Hotels and another organization is the sponsor of the rally as they are always supporting this magnificent event at the only desert in the world situated above 7 Thousand meters in between the mountains.
The rally is starting from 6th October to 8th October 2023 in District Shighar of picturesque tourist attraction Gilgit Baltistan that welcomed one Million tourists this year. Around 100 national racers under different categories will participate in the Sarfaranga Cold Desert Rally. The event is being organized by Tourism Department GB in partnership with Pak Wheels Dot Com. The event will also have polo, Zakh competitions cultural and other sports events and much more.

Chief Executive Pak Wheels, Secretary Tourism GB, Minister Tourism GB, Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, Deputy Commissioner Shigar addressed to a press conference organized in Serena Hotel Islamabad on 30 Sep 2023, in order to brief the national and international media about this event.
The title song “Sarfaranga Sarfaranga Lo Phir Sey Aaya Hay – Rang Branga Sarfaranga Her Dil Pe Chaaya Hay” was launched. The melodious song has been sung by renown local singer Salman Paras and music has been composed by Ali Mustafa.
Secretary Tourism Asifullah Khan said that Sarfa Ranga Cold Desert Rally is being organized as an annual calendar event since 2011 and this event is of great importance for the promotion of sports and adventure tourism in Pakistan. This year, the three-day Cold Desert Car Rally will continue from October 6 to October 8 and the track of the car rally has been made 80 km, more than 100 drivers and bikers of 10 categories are participating in the car rally. Women drivers are also participating in the Cold Desert Car Rally, the rally will also feature regional sports such as polo, boating, archery, zak and May Fung, among other cultural fairs and sports.

Sunil Sarfraz Manj, founder of Pak Wells, said that car racing enthusiasts and other tourists wait all year to participate in the Sarfa Ranga Cold Desert Rally. The hospitality of the people of Baltistan and the unique beauty and culture of the region add to the enjoyment of this event. This event will pave the way for international car racing competitions in Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Shagar Waliullah Falahi said that all arrangements have been finalized for the success of this event and the local community is also cooperating with the administration to make the event a success.

Provincial Minister for Tourism Ghulam Mohammad said that the Sarfa Ranga Cold Desert Rally will soon gain the status of a unique car race event at the global level and will attract the attention of adventure enthusiasts and fans from all over the world and nationally and internationally including Gilgit-Baltistan. Positive identity of Pakistan will be highlighted. He further said that the Gilgit-Baltistan government is trying to promote tourism activities and promote adventure sports so that the tourism and economy of the country will grow through healthy and recreational activities and the diverse culture of the region will also be recognized at the global level.
This site is 637 KM from Islamabad, 218 KM from Gilgit and only 17 KM from Skardu. The government of GB has constructed state of the art road to reach this destination.

To a question by Editor Pakistan in the World , Secretary Tourism responded that the best possible infrastructure will be provided for the participants and the other guests and tourists. Serena, PC and Ramada Hotels have been opened there. Road is available. More facilities will also be provided. We are doing our best to provide residence from highest to reasonable rates.
To another question about the security of the participants and the guests, Secretary said that there is no threat in this area. GB is peaceful region. He added that local scouts have been trained and made affiliated with Pakistan Boy Scouts. DC Shigar responded that local communities have been engaged in the activity. Minister said that Gilgit is the only city in Pakistan that has been declared peaceful.