Pakistani climbers reopen historic Hindu Kush pass after 27 years

A team of Pakistani mountaineers has successfully crossed the historic Phargam An Pass in

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 major achievement for the country’s mountaineering community.

The expedition successfully reached the 5,100-metre-high Phargam An Pass, completing a challenging journey through one of the most remote and difficult mountain routes in northern Pakistan.

The expedition also made history as female climbers reached the summit for the first time, highlighting the growing participation of women in Pakistan’s adventure and mountaineering sector.

The mission was organised in Upper Chitral with the support of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority. During the expedition, the team also discovered the memorial of Austrian mountaineer George Kronberger, who lost his life in the area in 1975.

Despite facing dangerous glaciers, steep snow-covered slopes, rocky terrain and the constant threat of avalanches, the team completed the expedition safely.

Expedition guide Zamrud Khan said the route to Phargam An Pass has changed significantly over the years due to the effects of climate change, making the journey more challenging than in the past.

Three sisters from Chitral—Mehrosh Akhtar, Ismail Roz and Madhu Shala Akhtar—took part in the historic expedition, setting a new milestone for women in Pakistani mountaineering.

Other members of the expedition included Kamran Khan, Samar Khan, Nauman Khan, Noorul Rahman, Zohaib Khan, Umar Khattab Sherani, Sohniya Babar, Amina Shabbir and Madiha Syed.

The successful expedition is being seen as an important milestone for adventure tourism and mountaineering in Pakistan, while showcasing the country’s growing potential as a destination for high-altitude exploration.