Dear Members & Friends of Islamabad Jeep Club
It is my pleasure to announce that 14 different 4x4 vehicles from Islamabad Jeep Club, Muzaffarabad Jeep Club, Offroaders Unlimited Abbotabad and Pakistan Land Rover Club attended the launching ceremony of the Comissioner Hazara's Snow Cross Challenge on February 27, 2011! The ceremony was organised at short notice on the behest of the Comissioner of Hazara Division, Sahibzada Mohammad Anees. Sahibzada Sb had come to know of the IJC Snow Cross 2011 held on the 5th - 6th of February 2011through the report on GEO by Ibrar Rasheed
and wanted to give official recognition to the Annual Snow Cross event which has been organised by IJC for the last three years.
Members from the 4 offroad clubs came together at Nathiagali's Hotel Elite after some tricky driving on the Muree-Nathiagali-Abbotabad Road following fresh snowfall in the area the previous night! A small ceremony was organized in the scenic main hall of the hotel where the Presidents of the 4 clubs highlighted the activities of their respective clubs and highlighted the state and potential of the sport of offroading in Pakistan. The Commissioner Hazara also addressed the gathering and greatly appreciated the efforts of the offroad clubs particularly IJC in showcasing the tremendous potential of the Hazara division for tourism and outdoor activities. He thanked all participants for making it to Nathiagali again just a few weeks after the Snow Cross 2011. He stated that he actually did not want to wait for 2012 to extend the support of his Offices to this worthy event and had thus requested for this meeting to announce his official support to the event.
The Commissioner announced that the event would be renamed "Comissioner Hazara's Snow Cross Challenge" and all government offices and departments would work with participating clubs in organising and expanding the snow cross event. He also said that he would welcome the offroad club's participation in Jashan-e-Hazra mega festival in Abbotabad and offered his support for a summer event in the Hazara Division. The members of the offroad clubs thanked the Commissioner for his support and highlighted that the Commissioner's initiative would go a long way in promoting offroading and tourism in not only Hazara but the whole of Pakistan.
The ceremony was also attended by Dr Naeem Khan DIG Police, Abbotabad, Syed Zaheer Ul Islam DCO, Abbotabad, Maj Fazal Ur Rehman & Ghulam Mustafa. Following the ceremeny and lunch hosted by Maj Fazal Ur Rehman owner of Hotel Elite.
Most of the members disbanded for returning home however some "manchalas!" could not resist the temptation of testing out some snowy tracks with their 4x4s! The snow was quite deep on tracks which has not been cleared and with a deep carpet of snow even on the main road most members felt contended sliding and drifting their 4x4s, or trying to avoid doing so! At the end, the ceremony turned out to be a mini Snow Cross itself with a few of those challenging moments which typical to snow offroad adventures.
On behalf of Islamabad Jeep Club, I would like to thank firstly the Commissioner Hazara sahibzada Mohammad Anees for his understanding, recognition and support; Dr Naeem Khan DIG, Syed Zaheer Ul Islam DCO, Maj Fazal Ur Rehman & Mr Ghulam Mustafa for their efforts in organizing this event and making it a resounding success!
Many photos and videos were shot during the drive to Nathiagali and of the ceremony which I am sure will be promptly uploaded by the attendees. I look forward to pics/vids and especially the comments from all 4x4 enthusiasts!
Thanx
All IJC Members