Islamabad – May 4, 2025: After a legal delay, a Polish cyclist cleared by the GB Chief Court is now set to begin his long-awaited journey to K2 Base Camp.
Paweł Małaszko reached Gilgit on Saturday after cycling 1,900 km from Karachi as part of his journey from the coast to K2.
However, his adventure was paused when the Gilgit-Baltistan tourism department was unable to issue the required trekking permit due to a legal stay order.
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The restriction stemmed from a court case filed by local tour operators opposing a sharp 300% increase in permit fees, introduced last year under the GB Finance Act, 2024.
The case has been pending for over two months due to a strike by lawyers, effectively halting all new foreign trekking and mountaineering permits.
On Friday, the GB Chief Court issued a directive allowing the government to issue Mr Małaszko his permit, enabling him to proceed to K2 Base Camp.
A tourism department confirmed that the permit had now been granted, although permits for other foreign adventurers remain on hold until further court guidance is received.
Before heading to K2, Mr Małaszko rode to Khunjerab Pass on Saturday, showcasing his endurance and passion for adventure.
He described his journey not only as a personal dream but also as an effort to promote Pakistan as a prime destination for international adventure tourism.
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Tour operators, however, remain concerned about the broader impact of the legal delays.
Muhammad Ali, a local operator, warned that many foreign visitors may be forced to cancel their travel plans, which could severely harm the region’s tourism economy.
According to tourism department figures, over 900 foreign trekkers and climbers have applied for permits this year, with numbers expected to rise.
The GB cabinet is expected to review the issue in a meeting scheduled for May 6.
