GB sets record by approving 469 mountaineering permits in a day

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Tourism Department has cleared 469 mountaineering and trekking visa applications in a single day, marking the highest number of such permits ever processed within 24 hours.

According to officials, the department received 555 applications for mountaineering expeditions in 2025, surpassing last year’s total of 423. The surge is being attributed to Gilgit-Baltistan’s inclusion in several international “Must Visit destinations in 2025” lists issued by CNN following the region’s intensified global tourism promotion campaigns.

“This is a direct outcome of our strategic outreach and reforms,” said Zameer Abbas, secretary tourism on Sunday. “We’re witnessing renewed global interest in the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges.”

The revival comes after a turbulent year for the region’s tourism industry. In late 2024, the Gilgit-Baltistan government introduced a steep hike in mountaineering and trekking permit fees, replacing the group-based system with individual charges.

The move sparked widespread backlash from tour operators and climbers, leading to a significant drop in bookings. Following legal challenges and industry protests, the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court issued a stay order, prompting the government to revise the fee structure.

In May 2025, the cabinet approved a substantial reduction in royalty fees, slashing K2’s summer permit from $5,000 to $3,500 and lowering trekking fees across all seasons. Gilgit-Baltistan is home to some of the world’s most iconic mountains, making it a magnet for elite climbers and trekkers.

These include: K2 (8,611m) – the world’s second-highest peak, known for its technical difficulty; Nanga Parbat (8,126m) – dubbed the “Killer Mountain”, being the ninth-highest globally; Gasherbrum I (8,080m) and Gasherbrum II (8,035m) – part of the Karakoram’s formidable cluster; and Broad Peak (8,051m) – named for its vast summit ridge.

With over 100 peaks above 7,000 metres and some of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions, Gilgit-Baltistan remains a crown jewel for high-altitude adventure. As the summer climbing season begins, the record-breaking visa approvals signal a strong rebound for Pakistan’s northern tourism economy—one that had teetered on the edge just months ago.