Islamabad, May 29, 2025 – I had the honor of attending a historic and vibrant ceremony organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) in celebration of the 75th Platinum Jubilee of the first successful ascent of Tirich Mir, the highest peak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Hindu Kush range.
In a major announcement during the event, Mr. Muzammil Aslam, Advisor to the Finance Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, revealed that the government will fully sponsor future expeditions to Tirich Mir, ensuring that mountaineers receive complete training and support. He also announced that the royalty fees for climbers will be waived for the next two years as part of the Jubilee celebrations—a significant move to attract international mountaineers and promote adventure tourism in the region.
The event was graced by dignitaries and officials including:
- Mr. Muzammil Aslam, Advisor to the Finance Department, KP
- MNA Faisal Amin Khan Gandapur
- Mr. Habibullah Arif, Director General of KPCTA
- Mr. Thomas Dahr, Deputy Head of Mission, Norway
- Mr. Aftab Rana, MD, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC)
- Mr. Carlo Alberto Pinelli, Mountain Wilderness International (Italy), recipient of the Nishan-e-Imtiaz
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the KP Culture and Tourism Authority and Mountain Wilderness International. The agreement was formally signed by DG KPCTA Mr. Habibullah Arif and Mr. Carlo Alberto Pinelli, symbolizing a strategic partnership to promote eco-friendly mountain tourism and training in both Chitral and Swat regions.
One of the emotional highlights of the ceremony was the acknowledgment of the efforts of local mountaineers Tayyab Syed, Abbas, and others who, in 1991, nearly summited Tirich Mir in collaboration with a Japanese team—falling just 100 meters short due to extreme conditions.
While addressing the attendees, Mr. Muzammil Aslam commended KPCTA for organizing the event and reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to boosting mountain and adventure tourism.
He stated,
“This is the first time the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is fully sponsoring a climbing initiative of this scale. With training, fee waivers, and international cooperation, we are opening up our peaks to the world.”
Mr. Carlo Alberto Pinelli, in his remarks, expressed deep gratitude to the KP government for the opportunity and shared that Mountain Wilderness International will begin mountaineering training sessions in Chitral and Swat, aiming to prepare both local and international climbers with world-class techniques and safety standards.
The event was attended by ambassadors, diplomats, tourism stakeholders, men and women from diverse backgrounds, and enthusiasts of adventure tourism, all showing their support for this landmark initiative.
As someone passionate about tourism and cultural development, I found the event truly inspiring and a testament to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s growing commitment to sustainable tourism, international collaboration, and community engagement. With such efforts, the region is poised to become a global hub for high-altitude adventure tourism.
