G-B permit fee dispute escalates into adventure tourism crisis

GILGIT: The dispute between the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government and tour operators over a 300 per cent increase in trekking and climbing permit fees has escalated into a crisis, leaving international adventurers in limbo.

In September 2024, the G-B Tourism, Sports, Culture, Archaeology & Museums Department announced that the previous collective fee for groups of seven climbers would be replaced by individual permits, tripling the cost per climber. The department also revised fees for various mountaineering expeditions.

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The sharp fee hike triggered a backlash from tour operators. The Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO) challenged the decision in the G-B Chief Court, which issued a stay order on the new fee structure on February 26, 2025, and suspended permit issuance.

With the mountaineering season underway, the G-B tourism department has denied permits to tour operators, citing the court order. Among those affected is Polish cyclist and traveler Paweł Małaszko, who is undertaking an ambitious project titled the K2 Base Camp Bike Expedition. His goal is to cycle the entire length of Pakistan—from the Arabian Sea shores to K2 Base Camp.

Małaszko began his journey on April 4 from Karachi, covering nearly 2,000 kilometers before reaching Dassu town in Upper Kohistan District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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“Regrettably, I have been informed by my agency, Jasmine Tours Pakistan, that trekking permits have been suspended. Consequently, I am unable to continue the expedition from Skardu to the Baltoro Glacier,” he wrote in an open letter to concerned authorities.

He appealed to all concerned authorities for assistance in obtaining the necessary permits, saying the assistance would be instrumental in allowing him to complete this “unique and historic journey — the first of its kind”.

“This expedition is not only a personal dream but also an opportunity to promote Pakistan as a destination for adventure and exploration throughout Europe and beyond. I have invested significant effort and dedication into this endeavor, and your help would mean the world to me,” he said.

Małaszko noted that his journey is being closely followed and cheered by a vibrant Polish fanbase, who engage with his daily social media updates.

Asghar Ali Porik, his tour operator, explained that cycling to K2 Base Camp is feasible during the early summer climbing season when snow cover remains intact. “The route becomes more challenging once the snow melts,” he noted, adding that another advantage is the reduced foot traffic on the mountain during this period.

“I submitted his permit application on March 10 since the Baltoro area requires official clearance. All his documentation was complete, but the G-B government is refusing to issue permits due to the court order,”* said Asghar Ali Porik, a local tour operator.

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He explained that the mountaineering season has already begun, yet adventurers remain stranded waiting for permits. Porik said the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) has barred entry even into open zones.

“Some expedition groups have managed to enter CKNP by submitting written undertakings agreeing to abide by whatever fee structure the court ultimately decides – whether maintaining the old rates, implementing the new hikes, or accepting a compromise solution,” Porik explained.

“Yet ironically, CKNP authorities have filed a legal case against Adventure Tours Pakistan, one of the operators following this very process.” Naiknam Karim, head of Adventure Tours Pakistan confirmed that a case has been filed against them for taking a Japanese skiing group to Baltoro glacier.

Syed Yasir Abbas Rizvi, an ecologist at CKNP, said the court has put a status quo on issuance of permits and they are complying with the court orders. “They forcibly entered the park without proper permits and violated the law, on the basis of which a case has been filed against the tour operator,” he said.

He said they were licensed operators willing to follow court orders and ready to give undertakings, but the government was accepting their assurances. “According to reliable sources, the FCNA commander has asked the Chief Minister to return from Islamabad, convene an assembly session, and resolve this crisis immediately,” he said.

Porik accused both CKNP and the tourism department of exploiting the peak climbing season as leverage, alleging they are not issuing permits to force through their controversial fee hikes. He said the situation has been further complicated by an ongoing lawyers’ protest that has paralyzed court proceedings. “Lawyers refusing to cooperate on tourism-related cases,” he said.

Porik said frustrated stakeholders—including porters, cooks, and support staff—were now organizing protests. “A demonstration against the Minerals Act 2025 is planned for April 27, and we have requested the organisers to include adventure tourism permit issues in the demands,” he added.

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Porik revealed that the deadlock has left in limbo more than 40 mountaineering expeditions and over 300 international trekkers who have completed their clearance applications. The court hearing is scheduled for April 27.

G-B Tourism Secretary Zamir Abbas said the PATO has secured a status quo order from the Chief Court. “We’re currently awaiting the court’s final decision. Meanwhile, the next cabinet meeting whenever it convenes will review the matter,” he said.

When pressed about tour operators willing to submit legal undertakings to comply with future court rulings still being denied permits, the secretary responded, “No such formal applications have been received by our office. Should any be submitted, we will evaluate them according to law.”