ISLAMABAD, Saturday, May 31, 2025 (WNP): In a major push to promote adventure tourism, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) hosted a high-profile event to mark the 75th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Trich Mir, the highest peak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Hindu Kush range. The government officially declared 2025 as the “Year of Trich Mir”, aiming to spotlight the region’s untapped mountaineering potential.

As part of the initiative, the KP government announced a two-year waiver on the royalty fee for climbing Trich Mir, a strategic move to attract both national and international climbers.

The commemorative event brought together prominent personalities from the mountaineering world, diplomatic community, and tourism sector. Notable attendees 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 Adventure Foundation Pakistan Aftab ur Rehman Rana, pioneering K2 climber Ashraf Aman, Deputy Head of Mission of Norway Thomas Dar, and renowned Italian mountaineer Carlo Alberto Pinelli representing Mountain Wilderness International.

Veteran Pakistani climbers Tayyab Syed and Attaur Rehman, who were part of the 1991 Japan-Pakistan Trich Mir expedition, also shared personal anecdotes and experiences with the audience, reflecting on the historical significance and challenges of the peak.

Speaking during a panel discussion, Aftab ur Rehman Rana lauded KPCTA for organizing a landmark event and underscored the immense potential of the region to become a global hub for mountaineering, trekking, and adventure sports.

He pointed out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is home to 52 peaks above 7,000 meters and over 40 peaks above 6,000 meters, presenting lucrative opportunities for adventure tourism that could generate billions in economic activity for the province.

“Trich Valley has the potential to emerge as a premier destination for mountaineers and trekkers,” he noted, citing the presence of Trich Mir—the 33rd highest peak in the world—and numerous surrounding glaciers and peaks.

Rana emphasized the importance of linking adventure tourism with the local economy by empowering communities through training and eco-friendly practices. He recommended establishing a mountaineering training school in Trich Valley to attract aspiring climbers and equip them to scale nearby 6,000m and 7,000m peaks.

He also urged the promotion of high and low-altitude trekking, noting that Chitral alone boasts over 30 well-known trekking routes which could draw thousands of international trekkers with targeted promotion.

In a significant development, Mountain Wilderness International (MWI) and KPCTA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to initiate professional mountaineering training programs in Chitral and Swat—a step expected to enhance skills, safety, and tourism infrastructure.

The event drew a large gathering of diplomats, adventure enthusiasts, tourism professionals, and local stakeholders, reflecting growing global interest in Pakistan’s northern tourism corridor.