GB sees rise in foreign climbers, trekkers despite Mideast tensions

GB sees rise in foreign climbers, trekkers despite Mideast tensions.

Key points

• Jamil Nagri Published August 30, 2026 Updated August 30, 2026 08: 12am.
• Over 2, 200 adventurers visited region from April to August Official notes climbing season has closed, but trekking will continue until October.
• The Gilgit-Baltistan administration earned Rs350 million from expedition and trekking pe­­rmits during the summer season up to June 30.
• Although trekkers continued to visit restricted areas, including the K2 Base Camp trekking route, mr Hussain remarked the climbing season had now closed.
• Jamil Nagri is a Gilgit-Baltistan-based correspondent for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism.

Jamil Nagri Published August 30, 2026 Updated August 30, 2026 08: 12am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

GILGIT: More than 2, 200 foreign climbers and trekkers visited Gilgit-Baltistan during the summer season from April to August this year, a senior official of the GB Tourism Department remarked.

Sajid Hussain, deputy director of the GB Tourism Department, informed Dawn that foreign adventurers visited the region to scale some of the world's highest peaks and trek in restricted areas, including K2 (8, 611 metres), Nanga Parbat (8, 126m), Broad Peak (8, 047m), Gasherbrum-I (8, 080m) and Gasherbrum-II (8, 035m).

In practice, the official continued that numerous foreign and domestic tourists were at present visiting popular destinations throughout Gilgit-Baltistan. Foreign tourists visiting open-zone areas do not require permits.

Authorities stated foreign tourists visiting GB's tourist destinations and open-zone areas from multiple countries during the spring, summer and autumn seasons were projected to surpass 10, 000 this year.

Mr Hussain remarked the number of foreign adventurers visiting GB this summer was higher than last year. As well as a fuel cost hike, had affected the influx of foreign and domestic tourists to GB last year, the official remarked tensions after the US-Israel war on Iran.

Although trekkers continued to visit restricted areas, including the K2 Base Camp trekking route, mr Hussain remarked the climbing season had now closed. "The arrival of trekkers will continue until October, " he remarked.

Meanwhile, the Gilgit-Baltistan administration earned Rs350 million from expedition and trekking pe­­rmits during the summer season up to June 30.

President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, retired Major General Irfan Arshad Khan, informed Dawn that the surge in international tourists this year, despite uncertainty in the Middle East, fluctuations in fuel costs and other factors, was encouraging.

"Tourism is a source of employment for the individuals of GB. Besides the revenue collected through trekking and mountaineering fees, local individuals, including porters, hotel owners, transporters and shopkeepers, benefit by millions of dollars directly from tourists, " he stated.

"After the war in the Middle East and the law-and-order situation in Pakistan after the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei during US and Israeli attacks on Iran, numerous countries issued advisories to their citizens against travelling to Pakistan. There were additionally delays in the issuance of permits for foreign climbers and trekkers. Otherwise, the number of foreign adventurers visiting GB would have been higher than 2, 200, " Major General Irfan Arshad Khan remarked.

He remarked more than 4, 000 foreign climbers and trekkers were anticipated to visit the region next year. He remarked the flaws causing delays in the issuance of permits to foreigners and other related matters would be resolved.

Nevertheless, the summit success rate on major peaks in GB, including K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum-I, Gasherbrum-II and Nanga Parbat, remained low as of snow avalanches, rockfalls, high winds and unpredictable weather conditions at high altitudes. Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2026.

Jamil Nagri is a Gilgit-Baltistan-based correspondent for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism. His reporting and feature writing focus on CPEC, climate change, the environment, and adventure tourism. He can be discovered on X at @jamilnagri.

Taken together, the developments around GB sees rise in foreign climbers, trekkers despite Mideast tensions point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.