GB's Peaks Draw Record Foreign Interest, But Visa Complexities Pose Challenges for Tourists"
During the 2023 summer, in addition to the approximately 9,000 international visitors, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) saw a significant influx of about 2,050 foreign climbers and trekkers.
The GB government has recorded a collection of Rs40.5 million in permit fees for peak climbing during the specified period. According to reports from the tourism department, in 2023, over 9,000 foreign tourists, including paragliders and trekkers in open zones, explored GB. Notably, 2,050 foreign climbers and trekkers took on the challenge of ascending various peaks, including the prestigious five eight-thousanders: K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum-I, Gasherbrum-II, and Broad Peak. This marks the highest influx of foreign tourists to the region in the past two decades.
While tour operators acknowledge the positive trend, they suggest that specific measures could enhance the attraction for an even greater number of foreign tourists. Simultaneously, there has been criticism of the tourism department's role. A major hurdle reported by numerous foreign tourists is the complexity of visa procedures and related issues.
Representing the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators, Mohammad Ali highlighted the intricate and time-consuming nature of the visa process, indicating that securing a Pakistan visa after application takes several months. He emphasized that prolonged delays and security clearance procedures often lead foreigners to abandon their plans to visit Pakistan.
Asghar Ali Porik, a tour operator from GB, drew attention to the challenges faced by foreign tourists, mountaineers, and trekkers during the visa application process. He pointed out that the online visa application form, available only in English on the official website, poses difficulties for tourists from countries with different languages.
Mr. Porik explained the existence of two visa categories for Pakistan: tourist visa and mountaineering/trekking visa. Despite the supposed issuance timelines of one week for tourist visas and one month for mountaineering/trekking visas, the actual issuance after security clearance often takes more time. This uncertainty, Mr. Porik noted, leads foreigners to reconsider and, in some cases, cancel their planned visits to Pakistan.
