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First
I would like to thank you for giving me this
opportunity.
Question:
Will Pakistan be open for climbing 8000 meter peaks in
2001 ?
Asghar:
Yes, Pakistan will be open for climbers, trekkers and
general tourists for year 2002. If I say the tour
operators and tourism ministry of Pakistan is very
thankful to world media who has given a very big
projection to Pakistan due to ongoing war in
Afghanistan. Now at least majority of the world
knows where Pakistan is. We are celebrating 2002 as a
Year of Mountain. Calendar of events for 2002 has
announced and already online at www.everestnews.com
Question:
I understand at least one expedition has cancelled
their k2 expedition. You must be worried. I want to
thank you for you and your country's support during
these hard times. How long have you been doing this
and how did you get into the business?
Asghar:
The mountain climbers of the World love adventure,
during the Kargil war with India near Siachen Glacier,
we had a respected number of climbing expeditions in
Pakistan. Though some cancelled as now it is happening
because I think some expedition come with the sponsors
and it is hard to get sponsors for the expedition now days.
Off-course
I am worried. But in the long term my fellow
countrymen and I see the future of Pakistan as very
bright. Due to lifting of sanctions against Pakistan by
the world and now the entire world is re-establishing
their relations with Pakistan. American and Europe
are planning long terms relations with Pakistan;
they already lifted sanctions against Pakistan.
International airlines re-started their schedule
flight to Pakistan; most of the foreign diplomats and
businessmen who left Pakistan are now coming back.
First time in the history of Pakistans Economy
Pakistani rupee gain record value against US dollar.
In
the late 80's when I finish my college I got a job in
a trekking agency. I work about 8 years for different
trekking/mountaineering agency and make friends like
Steve Razettee, Catherine James (author of Golden
Peak), David Hamilton, Alan Hinkes, Hans Kammerlander,
Isobel Shaw Paul Nunn and many more ...
After
leaving the office, I start guiding as a free lancer
and been to all remote areas of Pakistan. I explore each
and every valley and passes myself and make friends
all over Pakistan. These guides / porters / cooks are
now my very good personal contacts. I also worked four
times as a liaison officer with different
mountaineering expeditions and climb up to 7000 meter.
I have been part of Alpine Club of Pakistan executive
body and also deliver lecture to young civilian
liaison officers. Now I am part of Baltistan
Association of Adventure Tour Operators and Pakistan
Association of Tour Operators.
Question:
Who is your favorite climbers you have run into in the
business and why ?
Asghar: My
favorite climbers are Hans Kammerlander, Catherine
Destival, Carlos from Mexico and Babu Sherpa (late),
Mark Miller (late), Graham Lipp (late), Paul Nunn
(late) and Frank my rock-climbing teacher.
Question:
Who are the greatest Pakistani climbers of all time in
your opinion ?
Asghar:
Rajab Shah from Shimshal village and Little Karim from
Baltistan. Mr. Shah is the first Pakistani who did all
the 8000 meters peaks in Pakistan and Mr. Little Karim
is a well known high porter and unknown climber who
climb many times 8000 meters peaks unfortunately very
little record is available of his success. He is sort
of Babu Sherpa of Pakistan.
Question:
Who are the best Pakistani climbers today in your
opinion ?
Asghar:
Rajab Shah, Qurban Shah, Little Karim, Rasool of
Sadpara village.
Question:
We see more and more Sherpa climbers coming to
Pakistan to help expeditions. Is this troubling or
looked at as a positive as more climbers summit when
helped by the Sherpas?
Asghar: We
welcome Sherpa climbers in Pakistan to help foreign
mountaineers to climb different peaks in Pakistan it
is positive sign but we also think one should also
utilize the local climbing porters talent too.
Question:
The heavy use of fixed ropes and large number or
porters by the Korean expeditions must be good for
business, but is it climbing by fair means in your
opinion?
Asghar:
Mountain climbing in a true sense is one climb with
God given abilities but now a days we see climbers
using oxygen, ropes from ABC to top and hire well
experience climbing Sherpa to push them to the top. In
my opinion this is not the spirit of mountaineering.
Question:
What does a trek to Broad Peak BC cost with your
company and do you provide trekking guides or porters?
Asghar: We
offer two type of services for trekkers (1) Full board
this includes almost all services including
trekking guide and porters from trekkers arrival in
Pakistan and until its departure back home. (2) Back
Packer Service this includes necessary services
for trekkers to accomplish his/her goal.
Our
full board services price for Broad Peak / K2 Base
Camp range from 1200 US dollars to 1900 US dollar per
person depending on group size.
Our
Back Packer services price for Broad Peak / K2 Base
Camp range from 800 US Dollars to 995 US dollars per
person depending on group size.
Regards,
Asghar
Ali Porik
General
Manager / Managing Director
JASMINE TOURS
Department of Tourist Services License #333
http://www.jasminetours.com
Submit your questions to
Asghar
Ali Porik to everestnews2004@adelphia.net
Asghar
Ali Porik with Graham Lipp at K7 base camp
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