Important Advisory for Mountaineers and Tour Operators: Insurance Protocols and Permit Regulations in Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit, July 25, 2025 — The Department of Tourism, Gilgit-Baltistan, has issued a formal advisory for all domestic and international mountaineers, as well as registered tour operators, regarding mandatory permits and insurance protocols for climbing expeditions across the region’s high-altitude peaks. It is reiterated that the Department of Tourism is the sole authority responsible for issuing official climbing permits for expeditions within Gilgit-Baltistan. In the event of any unfortunate incident during the expedition—such as injury, accident, or death—the insurance company is solely responsible for compensating insured climbers and supporting porters as per the pre-agreed insurance coverage rates. The following key guidelines are being emphasized: 🔹 Permit fees and insurance amounts are determined and approved by the Department of Tourism in consultation with relevant authorities. 🔹 In case of any mishap, the designated tour company is obligated to assist the victim’s family in securing the insurance claim from the insurance provider. 🔹 No expedition should commence without obtaining proper permits from the Department of Tourism and being associated with a registered tour company. Unauthorized travel is strictly discouraged. A recent incident has brought this policy into sharp focus: The late Iftikhar Hussain Sadpara, a seasoned mountaineer, tragically lost his life while serving as a High Altitude Porter (HAP) for an international expedition on K2. He was engaged under a formal agreement by Lele Peak Tours, a registered tour operator, which had contracted a total of three local HAPs for the expedition. In compliance with the Tourism Department’s revised policy, no company is issued a climbing permit unless valid insurance certificates for all porters and local mountaineers are submitted in advance. In this case, each of the three HAPs, including the late Iftikhar Hussain Sadpara, was covered under a PKR 3 million insurance policy. The Tourism Department is currently processing the necessary documentation in coordination with the relevant tour company and insurance firm. The claim will be submitted to the insurance company shortly upon completion of all formal requirements. The Department of Tourism and Culture, Gilgit-Baltistan, remains committed to ensuring the safety, rights, and welfare of all local and international mountaineers and extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.