Drag Racing Officially Makes a Comeback in Islamabad After Infamous Fatal Accident 15 Years Ago

Islamabad is buzzing with activity this weekend as the city hosts a three‑day motorsports festival (October 17–19, 2025),

The festival, Race Wars Pakistan 2025, is being held at the Shakarparian Parade Ground and promises an action‑packed experience for automotive enthusiasts.

• Friday, October 17 – The festival opened with head‑to‑head (H2H) racing, where two cars compete in tandem runs.
• Saturday, October 18 (Today) – Drifting takes the spotlight: drivers will perform controlled slides, precision maneuvers, and style runs.
• Sunday, October 19 – The grand finale will be drag racing, with straight‑line speed battles to determine the fastest cars.

In addition to racing, the festival includes car exhibitions, vendor stalls, meet-and-greets with drivers, and behind‑the‑scenes car builds for fans to explore.

Past Tragedy Casts a Shadow Over Racing Events

While motorsport enthusiasts celebrate the return of public racing events in Islamabad, many still recall a fatal incident that occurred nearly 14 years ago. In December 2010, during a drag racing event held in Bahria Town, a high-powered car believed to be a Toyota Supra veered off course and crashed into the crowd. The accident resulted in five fatalities and several injuries.

The tragedy led to widespread criticism and immediate suspension of public racing events in the region. The Supreme Court of Pakistan later intervened, seeking reports from senior police officials and investigating the lack of crowd control and safety measures.

Since then, any attempt to revive motorsports has required organizers to meet strict safety requirements. This includes proper barrier placement, crowd management, and emergency preparedness. With events like Drift Fest returning to the public stage, both organizers and authorities are under pressure to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.