CHITRAL: Three courageous women from Chitral have made history by becoming the first female mountaineers from Pakistan and Chitral to successfully cross the 5,100-metre-high Phargam Pass, marking a significant milestone in the country’s mountaineering history.
The historic achievement was accomplished on 19 July 2026 at 12:45 p.m., when the three climbers successfully crossed the challenging high-altitude pass and completed their descent into Golen Valley.
Among the pioneering climbers, Ismail Roz and Madhu proudly represented the Tirich Mir Backpackers Club (TBCP), while Mehrosh Akhtar participated under the banner of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA). Their successful expedition earned them the distinction of becoming the first women from Pakistan and Chitral to traverse the demanding Phargam Pass.
Their remarkable feat also inspired other female mountaineers to undertake the same challenging route. Later that day, Samar Khan, a mountaineer from Dir, successfully crossed the pass at 1:30 p.m. In the evening, Sonia, Amina, and Madiha, all from Islamabad, also completed the crossing at 9:00 p.m. and safely concluded their trek to Golen Valley on 20 July 2026.
The success of the expedition has been widely credited to the invaluable support and collaboration of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) and the Tirich Mir Backpackers Club (TBCP), whose efforts made the challenging expedition possible.
The achievement of these fearless women is being celebrated as a landmark moment for adventure tourism and women’s participation in mountaineering in Pakistan. Their success sends a powerful message that determination, courage, and perseverance can overcome even the highest mountains, inspiring a new generation of female adventurers across the country.
