This {photograph} taken on July 24, 2025, exhibits the wreckage of demolished homes after the flood-hit Kondus Valley of Ghanche district within the Gilgit-Baltistan. — AFP
The mountaineering season in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), as soon as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s journey sports activities and tourism, has suffered an unprecedented collapse this yr, with worldwide climber arrivals plunging by practically 90%.
In keeping with an announcement issued by the Alpine Membership of Pakistan on Tuesday, unpredictable local weather disasters, coupled with worldwide conflicts and home challenges, have devastated livelihoods throughout the mountainous area.
Official figures counsel solely 270 worldwide climbers visited GB this season to aim among the world’s most iconic peaks — K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum-I, Gasherbrum-II, and Nanga Parbat. This marks a drastic fall in contrast with greater than 2,000 overseas climbers and trekkers final yr.
Extreme climate, together with avalanches, rockfalls, and excessive winds, pressured many expeditions to desert their climbs. Simply 40 climbers managed to summit K2, 25 reached the highest of Nanga Parbat, whereas solely a handful succeeded on Gasherbrum-I.
Home tourism additionally recorded a steep decline. Final yr, multiple million native vacationers and round 24,000 overseas guests with out permits travelled to GB. This yr, each home and worldwide arrivals have dropped alarmingly, dealing a significant blow to the area’s financial system.
The downturn has been pushed by a number of components: disputes over elevated allow charges, ongoing geopolitical conflicts such because the Iran-Israel struggle, strained relations between Pakistan and India, and more and more erratic mountain climate circumstances.
The collapse of mountaineering exercise has triggered a ripple impact throughout the native financial system. Resort house owners, shopkeepers, transporters, porters, artisans, and small tea stall operators alongside the Karakoram Freeway are struggling to outlive. Many who invested closely in tourism-related companies lately now discover it tough to cowl primary bills, together with hire and salaries.
President of the Alpine Membership of Pakistan Maj Gen Irfan Arshad HI (M) voiced deep concern over the disaster, saying: “Mountaineering is the lifeline of Gilgit-Baltistan, and this year’s collapse has created a ripple effect of losses across all sectors.”
He added: “It is imperative for the government to address policy challenges, resolve disputes with stakeholders, and take urgent measures to revive and promote both domestic and international adventure tourism in the coming seasons.”
