The mountainous regions of Pakistan, like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), are known for their beauty but present serious dangers, including rough terrain and unpredictable weather. On June 2nd, 2024, my cousin tragically died after falling and suffering fatal injuries in the Sulai mountains in KP during a hunting trip. Without mountain patrollers or immediate emergency services, precious time was lost, and he did not survive.

Unfortunately, many have lost their lives similarly, like the 15-year-old hiker found in a ditch after a fall in the Margalla Hills, Murad Sadpara who fell off of Broad Peak Mountain, and American mountaineer, Dr. Alex Goldfarb-Rumyantzev, who fell in the Karakoram Pastore Peak. This summer alone, at least five others have met similar fates. Yet, there is still a lack of access and implementation of adequate safety protocols, equipment, and emergency services on-site in KP mountains. In contrast, regions like Gilgit-Baltistan enforce strict mountaineering regulations, including permits, group size limits, and mandatory safety equipment. Nepal’s requirement for tracking chips on Mount Everest has also been successful in improving climber safety. Adopting similar measures in KP could significantly reduce risks for hikers and hunters. 

Muhammad Orakzai, Secretary of the Department of Tourism, is responsible for regulating tourism and ensuring outdoor activities' safety in KP. We call on him to implement mountain patrollers to assist with navigation and accidents, collaborate with Rescue 1122 for rapid response teams, mandate safety gear like helmets and GPS trackers, establish training programs on navigation and first aid, and install warning signs in hazardous areas. These protocols are essential to reduce the chances and occurrences of preventable injury and death in KP. By signing this petition, you are urging Secretary Orakzai to implement critical safety measures to protect tourists and locals. Together, we can prevent further tragedies and ensure safer exploration.