Pakistani mountaineers have successfully crossed the historic Phargam An Pass in the Hindu Kush for the first time in 27 years. The Phargam An Pass expedition also marked the first successful ascent by female climbers. The achievement highlights Pakistan’s growing presence in high-altitude mountaineering and adventure tourism.

The Pakistani team successfully reached the summit of the 5,100-meter-high Phargam An Pass. The expedition completed the challenging route after navigating difficult mountain terrain. Team members celebrated the successful crossing after reaching the historic pass.

Three sisters from Chitral made history by becoming part of the expedition. Mehrosh Akhtar, Ismail Roz, and Madhu Shala Akhtar joined the climb and achieved the summit. Their participation marked the first successful ascent of the pass by female climbers.

The expedition team included Kamran Khan, Mehrosh Akhtar, Samar Khan, Nauman Khan, Noorur Rehman, Zohaib Khan, Umar Khattab Sherani, Sohniya Babar, Amina Shabbir, and Madiha Syed. Together, they completed the demanding journey through the Hindu Kush mountains.

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

The climbers crossed glaciers, steep snow-covered slopes, rocky trails, and avalanche-prone areas. Despite these difficult conditions, the team completed the expedition safely. Their success demonstrated careful planning and strong teamwork.

Expedition guide Zumrad Khan said climate change has significantly altered the route to Phargam An Pass. He explained that the path is now very different from previous years, making the climb more challenging for modern expeditions.

The successful Phargam An Pass expedition ends a 27-year gap since the route was last crossed. The achievement also highlights the growing role of Pakistani climbers, including women, in promoting adventure tourism and mountaineering in the country’s northern regions.