Alpine Club of Pakistan launches major training infrastructure initiative in collaboration with NAVTTC

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Apr, 2026) In a major push to professionalize adventure tourism and mountaineering, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) has

rolled out a comprehensive national training initiative, that aims to create a skilled workforce capable of meeting international standards.

Talking to APP, the ACP President Major General (Retd) Irfan Arshad said the country is finally addressing a

decades-old gap in formal mountaineering education that has long limited the sector’s potential.

He said that a small mountaineering school has already been established in Sadpara, a village in Gilgit-Baltistan

with a historically significant climbing community. The facility was set up with backing from the Commander of

the Force Command Northern Areas, alongside contributions from Pakistan Army and the ACP President itself.

The centerpiece of the initiative, however, is the National Mountaineering School at Shigar, a government-backed project for which land has been allocated, funds earmarked, and the tendering process is now underway. "The project carries an estimated cost of 946 million rupees," Irfan said.

In addition, an Alpine Climbing Academy in Islamabad is being developed, with its infrastructure and scope currently being finalized. "The courses for the academy are being approved by NAVTTC (National Vocational and Technical Training Commission), under a structured programme designed to produce certified professionals at scale.

"Under a five-year plan, the ACP aims to train upto 5000 professionals across the mountaineering and climbing sector," he added.

Irfan emphasized that mountaineering and climbing represent a complete ecosystem, deeply interlinked with tourism and employment in Gilgit-Baltistan. "Mountaineering and climbing is a complete ecosystem; it is not like other sports."

"Employment in GB is connected to tourism, and tourism is connected to climbing, mountaineering, and hiking. All of these are intertwined."

He noted that while advanced certification takes time, shorter training modules will be introduced for support roles, ensuring inclusivity across the workforce.

"Shorter training programmes of few weeks to six months would cater to lower-altitude workers kitchen crews and other support personnel.

"After three years, no tour operator will be able to use untrained staff. The compliance will be mandatory for everyone," he said.

"It's a matter of a few years, everyone working in our mountains will be trained and will carry the certification of appropriate institutions," the ACP President added.