A team of Pakistani mountaineers has successfully crossed the historic Phargam An Pass in the Hindu Kush for the first time in 27 years, marking an important achievement in Pakistan’s mountaineering history. The pass, located at an elevation of 5,100 meters (16,732 feet), was successfully summited after the team navigated some of the region’s most challenging mountain terrain.
The expedition also made history as the first to include women who successfully reached the summit of Phargam An Pass. Their achievement marks an important milestone for women’s participation in Pakistan’s mountaineering and adventure tourism sectors and reflects the growing role of female climbers in high-altitude expeditions.
The expedition was supported by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) and took place in Upper Chitral, a region known for its towering mountains, glaciers and remote landscapes. The mission aimed to reopen the historic route while promoting adventure tourism and showcasing Pakistan’s natural beauty.
During the expedition, the team also rediscovered the memorial plaque of Austrian mountaineer Georg Kronberger, who died in the area in 1975. The discovery added historical significance to the journey by connecting the expedition with an important chapter in the history of mountaineering in the Hindu Kush.
The journey to Phargam An Pass was extremely challenging. The team crossed large glaciers, climbed steep snow-covered slopes, walked along rocky mountain trails and carefully navigated avalanche-prone areas. Despite the difficult conditions, the climbers completed the expedition through careful planning, teamwork and determination.
Expedition guide Zamurd Khan said climate change has significantly altered the route over the years. He explained that melting glaciers, changing snow conditions and shifting mountain landscapes have made the route much different and more challenging than it was in the past. He said these changes highlight the growing impact of climate change on Pakistan’s high-altitude regions and the increasing challenges faced by mountaineers.
One of the most inspiring parts of the expedition was the participation of three sisters from Chitral, Mehrosh Akhtar, Smell Rose and Madhu Shala Akhtar. Their achievement set a strong example for aspiring female adventurers across Pakistan and showed that more women are breaking barriers in activities traditionally dominated by men while encouraging future generations to take part in outdoor sports and exploration.
The expedition team included Kamran Khan, Mehrosh Akhtar, Samar Khan, Noman Khan, Noormal Rehman, Zohaib Khan, Omar Khitab Sheerani, Sohniya Babar, Amina Shabbir and Madeeha Syed. Their successful completion of the mission not only reopened a historic mountain pass after nearly three decades but also highlighted Pakistan’s strong potential for adventure tourism. The expedition also reflected the resilience, courage and teamwork of Pakistani mountaineers while emphasizing the importance of protecting the country’s fragile mountain environment from the effects of climate change.
