Pakistan’s poor gatekeeping of the ‘roof the world’
https://arab.news/8sa2x
These days Pakistan has mountains on its mind. There is a mountain of debt to take care of and then there is a mountain to climb to manage the country’s doddering economy. But with summer having thawed the mountainous geographic north, it is also mountaineering season in Pakistan. With an icy winter receding, dozens of expeditions led by international climbers have either been launched in Gilgit-Baltistan in recent weeks or are in the process of being rolled out.
While Pakistan is well known globally among climber communities as one of the most beautiful and challenging destinations of the world, the paradox is that most others are not even aware of the country’s alpine distinctions. There are 108 peaks above 7,000 metres in the world of which a staggering 42 are in Pakistan. These include 19 among the 50 tallest mountains of the world as well as the second highest peak – the majestic K2. These also include 5 of the world’s 14 mountains, higher than 8,000 metres each.
Accumulatively these are as good enough a qualification as any for Pakistan to be able to claim the title of the ‘roof of the world.’ Part of this distinction is helped by the annual polo festival in Shandur which boasts the highest ground in the world hosting the ‘sport of kings.’
This is why it is a shame that only one newspaper last week reported that this summer is one of the busiest climbing seasons for Pakistan in many years – with processes interrupted by the coronavirus for the last three years – for international climbers. Why are Pakistan’s alpine charms not ruling the popular global imagination even though three of the world’s mightiest mountain ranges – Himalaya, Hindu Kush and Karakoram – are here?
Pakistan could certainly do with the publicity! By attracting more attention, the country could help itself climb over its economic difficulties by getting more tourists to its sensationally beautiful mountainous north. There are several reasons for why Pakistan does not rival Nepal as a destination of popular choice.
How myopic of Pakistan to not lower the roof of the world for those seeking to reach for the sky.
Adnan Rehmat
For one thing, despite the upgrades to quality lodging and logistics facilities in recent years for visitors, they are simply not good or adequate enough. There are no five-star facilities within 300 miles of the mountains. Even four-star facilities are rare. There should be a realization that lodging should not be counted as part of the adventure of climbing mountains but rather considered a facilitative imperative to it.
Pakistan also needs to declare a special ‘north tourism’ policy focusing on alpine tourism that allows for a far more accommodative cultural experience for international visitors compared to the more conservative south of the country. This could include more culturally progressive environments like easier access to legal alcohol for at least international visitors. Currently, a ban on serving alcohol serves as a dampener.
Then there are political issues. Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), where most of the majestic peaks are concentrated, has an oddball governance status within the Pakistani political system. Its fate is linked to that of Pakistan-administered Jammu & Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan lay claim to the whole of Kashmir as their territory but control separate parts of it. Before Kashmir was divided in 1947 among these two, GB awaited a settlement of a dispute on whether it was part of Kashmir whole or an independent entity. It still hangs in limbo.
This Indo-Pak dispute not only denies the representation of GB in the national parliament of Pakistan – and therefore an influence in national policies – but also lends a locally unwanted special ‘security status’ to the region that allows the security establishment of Pakistan to restrict access and freedoms. This massively hurts the tourism potential of GB which, if accorded an equal provincial status, could easily not just run an economy driven by mountaineering – like in Nepal – but also contribute to Pakistan’s ability to climb its own mountain of debt.
Greater autonomy – especially complete local initiative and authority – in drafting its own tourism policy that formally gives it the status of industry, would open the floodgates of visitors to GB. Pakistan needs to open up its mountains to not just climbers but also other nature lovers of the world who may be able to see for themselves why the region is called the ‘Switzerland of the East.’ How myopic of Pakistan to not lower the roof of the world for those seeking to reach for the sky.