{
  "id": 4335533,
  "title": "GB sees rise in foreign climbers, trekkers despite Mideast tensions",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/gb-sees-rise-in-foreign-climbers-trekkers-despite-mideast-tensions-4335533",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-30T03:12:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2026057/gb-sees-rise-in-foreign-climbers-trekkers-despite-mideast-tensions"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gilgit-Baltistan witnessed an influx of over 2,200 foreign climbers and trekkers between April and August this year, according to Sajid Hussain, deputy director of the GB Tourism Department. The visitors came to conquer some of the highest peaks in the world and traverse restricted areas, including K2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum-I, and Gasherbrum-II. While the climbing season has concluded, trekkers are still permitted to explore these regions until October.\n\nThe surge in international tourists, despite regional tensions following the US-Israel war on Iran and fuel price hikes, surpassed expectations. The Gilgit-Baltistan government collected Rs350 million from expedition and trekking permits up to June 30. President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, retired Major General Irfan Arshad Khan, expressed optimism about the tourism sector, stating that it provided employment for local residents and generated significant revenue for various businesses.\n\nMajor General Khan predicted that over 4,000 foreign adventurers would visit Gilgit-Baltistan next year, once the bureaucratic hurdles causing permit delays are resolved. However, the success rate of summit attempts on major peaks, such as K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum-I, Gasherbrum-II, and Nanga Parbat, remains low due to unpredictable weather, avalanche risks, and other natural hazards.",
  "summary": "• Over 2,200 adventurers visited region from April to August • Official says climbing season has closed, but trekking will continue until October GILGIT: More than 2,200 foreign climbers and trekkers visited Gilgit-Baltistan during the summer season from April to August this year, a senior official of the GB Tourism Department said. Sajid Hussain, deputy director of the GB Tourism Department,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "GB sees rise in foreign climbers, trekkers despite Mideast tensions",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/gb-sees-rise-in-foreign-climbers-trekkers-despite-mideast-tensions",
        "published": "2026-08-30T03:12:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}