Abu Zafar Sadiq speaks in an exclusive interview with Daily The Spokesman
Mohammad Arshad
ISLAMABAD: President, Alpine Club of Pakistan Abu Zafar Sadiq has said that mountaineering in Pakistan possesses huge international potential from tourism point of view as our mountains have unique features, distinguished terrain and variety of challenges to cater the wide range of mountain lovers.
The mountaineers across the globe are pouring in to satiate their thirst for encountering the challenges of mountain climbing attracts a large number of foreign mountaineers, but unfortunately, there is no much scope for local mountaineers who are facing similar problems like any other sport in the country. However, with the advent of new leadership in the country, things are expected to be improved, as the Minister for IPC seems quite serious to address the concerns of athletes.
In an interactive session with the ‘Daily The Spokesman’ along with three prominent emerging mountaineers Saqib, Syed Sarmad Ali and Rehan who had just returned from Swat after setting a world record of hoisting world’s biggest flag (200ft) on Gudder Pass near Gudder Peak 16,182 feet in Swat Valley. The team also climbed this peak. He said the key stakeholders in tourism industry i.e. Tour Operators, Guides, Hotels and Transporters and Porters associations along with provincial governments and relevant government departments should build synergies and join hands together to promote tourism mountaineering potential in the world.
He said that previous government devised a policy in the name of developing brand Pakistan at the cost of Rs 40 million, but could not launch this policy due to political conditions. Basically the tourism subject has been devolved to the provinces under the 18th constitutional amendment and even the federal government tried to establish national tourism coordination board which was challenged in the court and high court declared it as null and void. Later prime minister formed a national coordination committee, but provinces are slow to align their priorities and development efforts with the pace as desired by the Federal Government.
“High Peaks are mostly situated at Baltoro Region which is restricted zone”, said President ACP. He stressed the need to speed up the process of issuance of permit in such areas and also to reduce royalty to attract more mountaineers in the country.
Engagement of foreign missions with some orientation about mountain tourism attractions in Pakistan can help to further enhance the mountaineers flow in the country. Talking about training of mountaineers and capacity building of high altitude crew, he told that ACP holds basic and intermediate level trainings for young mountaineers. It also organized advance level mountaineering not only for young armature mountaineers and high altitude crew in the past.
During last two years its mountaineering training and expeditions were cancelled due to to corona pandemic. However training programs have been scheduled for the coming months. Further highlight the peculiar challenges faced by this sport, he said mountaineering is an expensive sport, it needs a lot of resources, time and involves risk as well. Therefore, this sport is not attracting youth which are mostly unable to meet such expenses. ACP has limited climbing gear and provides to its trainees. The climbing equipment is also available on rent at few shops in Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu and Hushey Village. In the prevailing situation of youth exposed to drugs, extremism, drugs and excessive use of gadgets are serving as a tool to escape from the realities of life.
The parents, educational institutions, civil society organizations and policy makers should drive youth towards healthy sports activities and outdoor pursuits like mountaineering, trekking, hiking and other adventure sports so that they could be able to improve their health and psychological conditions to become better citizens of the country. While commenting upon the Mission-14 of Shehroze Kashif, he praised his love for mountains and dedication to climb 14 peaks above 8000 to become youngest in the world. He also appreciated his father Mr. Salman Kashif who not only allowed him to encounter such a challenge but also providing him finances which has never been witnessed our country.
He hoped that government would help to mobilize resources to translate his dream into reality as he has to climb rest of 6 peaks till next year. He said in this regard a number of meetings of Shehroze Kashif and management of ACP were held with key figures including President of Pakistan, Minister for IPC, DG Sports Board and Governor Punjab. He thanked President of Pakistan for his special attention towards resource mobilization for Shehroze Kashif. The cash award given by Chief of Army Staff to Shehroze Kashif and other mountaineers was also highlighted by the President, ACP. Similar gestures are expected from Pakistan Sports Board and Government of Punjab as well.
Stressing the importance of athlete development he held more resources are required to be allocated in phase manner. In this regard a proposal has been shared with the PSB. He is hopeful for the provision of resources for athlete development. He added that if reasonable investment is made in sportsperson development through skill development, our athletes and coaches can get jobs abroad. Even elite athletes are being allured by wealthy country through immigration, work visa and nationality.
Sharing his experiences Mr. Saqib expressed his concern about non recognition of his achievements. He has made a number of world records but his achivements have never been appreciated, rewarded or recognized by the Government. However, he thanked ACP for the moral support and encouragement for his projects. He also appreciated the support extended by FCNA, ISPR and other security forces for facilitating him to translate his dreams into reality.
Mountaineer Mr. Sarmad who is Biker as well, shared that he undertook a mega trip to different areas of Pakistan every year on motorbike from Haiderabad to any place and this year he rode to Skurdu without any sponsorship. He has explored most of Pakistan on Bike but the experience of climbing mountain was unique and he cannot forget it in the time to come. He would be now more focused on mountaineering and trekking.
Rehan shared that they narrowly escaped from Glacier Peak to gorge as all of them slipped from a glacier while moving towards K-2 from a new route which is other than the traditional one. He shared that they have a large number of followers on social media and thus they get to gather on social media to for joint venture and expedition. At the end, President gave a message to youth and invited them to come out of comfort zone and digital life to interact with Nature in Mountains. He recalled the famous verses of William Wordsworth
“One impulse from a vernal wood May teach you more of man,
Of moral evil and of good, Than all the sages can.”
And stressed the need to attract youth to go in mountains and learn from the nature for which ACP offers wide range of activities. Such opportunities can be seen in the calendar available on their website www.alpineclub.org.pk.