KP Eyes Trich Mir to Lead Adventure Tourism Revival
APP
Islamabad: In a bid to spotlight Pakistan’s mountaineering heritage and boost adventure tourism, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) hosted a high-profile event in Islamabad to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Trich Mir — the highest peak in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the Hindu Kush mountain range.
The event drew participation from veteran climbers, diplomats, tourism professionals, and adventure enthusiasts from across the country and abroad. In a major announcement, the KP government declared 2025 as the “Year of Trich Mir” and unveiled a two-year waiver on royalty fees for climbing the iconic 7,708-meter peak to attract international mountaineers.
Key dignitaries present at the event included Member of National Assembly Faisal Amin Khan, KP Finance Minister Muzamil Aslam, Director General KP Tourism Habibullah Arif, Managing Director PTDC and Vice President of Adventure Foundation Pakistan Aftab ur Rehman Rana, K2 summiteer Ashraf Aman, Deputy Head of Mission Norway Thomas Dar, and acclaimed Italian climber Carlo Alberto Pinelli, representing Mountain Wilderness International (MWI).
Veteran climbers Tayyab Syed and Atta Ur Rehman, who participated in the 1991 Japan-Pakistan Trich Mir expedition, shared their thrilling stories and paid homage to the mountain’s mountaineering legacy.
Speaking during a panel discussion, Aftab ur Rehman Rana applauded KPCTA for organizing the landmark celebration and emphasized the economic potential of developing adventure tourism in the region. “KP has over 52 peaks above 7,000 meters and more than 40 above 6,000 meters. This makes the province a prime destination for mountaineers and trekkers from around the world,” he said.
Highlighting Trich Valley’s potential, he noted that the area — home to glaciers and a cluster of high peaks — could become a hub for adventure tourism. He also called for integrating local communities into the tourism value chain by equipping them with training in eco-friendly guiding, portering, and expedition support services.
To further promote adventure tourism, Rana proposed establishing a mountaineering training school in Trich Valley, catering to both novice and experienced climbers. He also recommended promoting Chitral’s more than 30 renowned trekking routes, which remain underexplored by international trekkers.
A significant milestone of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between KPCTA and Mountain Wilderness International to launch professional mountaineering training programs in Chitral and Swat.
With the 75th anniversary celebration serving as a launchpad, KPCTA aims to turn 2025 into a transformative year for adventure tourism, positioning Trich Mir and the broader region as premier global destinations for mountaineering, trekking, and eco-tourism.
