Pakistan issues no restrictions on mountain expeditions despite recent climber deaths
Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson for the government of Gilgit-Baltistan — home to the world's second-highest mountain, K2 — said climbers are fully aware of the extreme risks posed by weather and terrain, yet choose to proceed.
'Despite that, they willingly accept these challenges and come here to attempt these summits,' Faraq told The Associated Press.
The statement follows the death of Chinese climber Guan Jing, 37, who was struck by falling rocks while ascending K2 last Tuesday. Her body was recovered Saturday and remains at the Combined Military Hospital in Skardu. Pakistani officials have contacted Chinese authorities in Islamabad regarding the repatriation process.
Jing's death came weeks after German Olympic gold medalist and climber Laura Dahlmeier died while attempting to summit Laila Peak in the Karakoram range.
Faraq noted that families of foreign climbers typically request recovery operations, but in some cases, if the family declines, the remains are left where the climber perished.Gilgit-Baltistan is a major draw for international mountaineers from May to September, with hundreds attempting climbs each season. Faraq said the government is working to enhance infrastructure, rescue capacity, and safety for climbers, as expeditions contribute significantly to the local economy.'A large number of people work on these expeditions, feeding their families for the whole year with these earnings,' he added.However, mountaineering in the region remains extremely hazardous due to avalanches, falling rocks, and rapid weather changes. In August last year, two Russian climbers were stranded for six days before being rescued.The Gilgit-Baltistan region, which lies in the disputed Kashmir territory, has also been affected by heavier-than-normal monsoon rains this year. The rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, adding further risks for climbers and residents alike.
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