KP CM aide assures funding, training to mountaineers

PESHAWAR: Advisor to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Finance Muzzammil Aslam on Thursday said that the provincial government would provide funding for the expedition to summit the province’s highest peak, Tirich Mir.

Speaking at an event to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the first ascent of Tirich Mir, he also announced that the royalty fee for mountaineers would be waived for the next two years, and all climbers aiming to summit the peak would receive comprehensive training and support.

The event was organised under the auspices of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA), where the year 2025–26 was declared as the “Tirich Mir Year.” A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed on the occasion.

Member National Assembly Faisal Amin Khan Gandapur, KPCTA director General Habibullah Arif, deputy head of mission, Norway, Thomas Dahr, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director Aftab Rana, Mountain Wilderness International’s Carlo Alberto Pinelli, mountaineers from KP, including Tayyab Syed and Abbas, who had nearly summited Tirich Mir in 1991 in a joint expedition with Japan but fell short by just 100 meters, were among the prominent attendees.

The MoU was signed by KPCTA DG Habibullah Arif and Carlo Alberto Pinelli, who had also been awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz.

Muzzammil Aslam praised the KPCTA for arranging the event and emphasised the provincial government’s commitment by fully sponsoring the expedition programme. He said that this initiative included training for mountaineers, which aimed to successfully summit Tirich Mir.

He also announced the two-year royalty fee waiver for mountaineers, saying that this move was expected to attract climbers from around the world to Pakistan, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“KP is a province known for its hospitality,” he said, adding that over 20 million tourists visited the region last year.

Carlo Alberto Pinelli while speaking at the event expressed his gratitude to the KP government and revealed plans to hold training sessions not only in Chitral but also in Swat.

He highlighted the role of Mountain Wilderness International in providing global training to mountaineers.

The event was attended by ambassadors from various countries, men and women, tourism stakeholders and guests as well.