UPPER CHITRAL: A team of Pakistani mountaineers has successfully crossed the historic Phargam An Pass in the Hindu Kush mountain range for the first time in 27 years, marking a significant achievement for the country’s mountaineering community.
The expedition successfully reached and crossed the 5,100-meter-high Phargam An Pass, reviving a route that had remained largely unexplored for nearly three decades.
The expedition also marked a historic milestone as female Pakistani mountaineers reached the summit of the pass for the first time, highlighting the growing participation of women in high-altitude adventure sports.
Among the participants were three sisters from Chitral—Mehrosh Akhtar, Ismail Roz, and Madhushala Akhtar—whose participation was described as a landmark achievement for women in Pakistani mountaineering.
The expedition team also included Kamran Khan, Samar Khan, Nauman Khan, Noor-ur-Rehman, Zohaib Khan, Umar Khattab Sherani, Sahnia Babar, Amina Shabbir, and Madiha Syed.
The challenging expedition was organized with the support of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority and was carried out in Upper Chitral, a region known for its rugged mountains and remote valleys.
During the expedition, the team also discovered a memorial dedicated to Austrian mountaineer Georg Kronberger, who lost his life in the area in 1975. The discovery added historical significance to the mission, linking the modern expedition with the region’s mountaineering heritage.
The climbers successfully navigated difficult terrain that included glaciers, snow-covered slopes, rocky trails, and areas prone to avalanches. Despite the numerous hazards, the team completed the expedition safely.
According to expedition guide Zamrud Khan, the route has changed considerably over the years due to the effects of climate change.
He noted that melting glaciers and shifting ice formations have significantly altered the landscape compared to previous expeditions, making navigation more complex and requiring updated route planning.
The successful crossing of Phargam An Pass is being viewed as an important achievement for Pakistan’s adventure tourism and mountaineering sectors. Officials hope the accomplishment will encourage more domestic and international expeditions to explore the country’s northern mountain ranges while promoting sustainable tourism.
The expedition also underscores the increasing role of Pakistani women in high-altitude mountaineering and outdoor exploration, reflecting broader efforts to expand participation in adventure sports across the country.
Tourism authorities say the achievement not only revives interest in one of the Hindu Kush’s historic mountain passes but also highlights the region’s vast potential for adventure tourism, scientific exploration, and environmental research.
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