Asma Mushtaq Repatriation has become a matter of growing concern after the continued delay in bringing back the body of Pakistani mountaineer Dr Asma Mushtaq, with RK Sports Management Founder and President Rais Khan calling the situation deeply regrettable and condemnable.

Speaking in Karachi, Rais Khan urged the government and relevant authorities to take immediate notice of the matter and ensure the safe and swift repatriation of Dr Asma Mushtaq’s body.

He said mountaineering was an inherently challenging and hazardous sport. However, he stressed that climbers must have access to adequate safety arrangements, emergency assistance and rescue facilities.

Call for better emergency arrangements

Rais Khan said companies organising high-altitude expeditions had a responsibility to protect climbers and respond effectively during emergencies.

“It is unfortunate that some companies charging substantial amounts to take mountaineers to high-altitude areas do not appear to have adequate facilities and arrangements to deal with emergencies and protect human lives,” he said.

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He added that expedition organisers could not limit their responsibility to collecting fees and transporting climbers to mountainous regions.

According to Khan, their responsibilities should also include ensuring climbers’ safety, providing emergency medical assistance, arranging rescue operations and making effective provisions for recovering and repatriating bodies in the event of fatal accidents.

“If companies do not have the necessary emergency and rescue facilities, there is no justification for charging mountaineers hefty fees,” he added.

Concern over reported costs

Rais Khan also expressed concern over reports that private individuals were demanding millions of rupees to bring back Dr Asma Mushtaq’s body.

He said forcing a grieving family to pay an exceptionally large amount to recover and repatriate the remains of a loved one raised serious questions about the system.

Therefore, he called for a transparent investigation into the matter and urged authorities to take action against anyone found exploiting the family’s difficult circumstances by demanding unreasonable payments.

Khan also questioned why the bodies of foreign mountaineers had reportedly been repatriated while the return of a Pakistani woman mountaineer’s body continued to face delays.

He stressed that Pakistani citizens should receive the same level of assistance and priority as foreign climbers.

Concerns for Pakistan’s mountaineering sector

Rais Khan warned that incidents of this nature could create anxiety among Pakistani mountaineers and their families.

Moreover, he said delays in emergency response and repatriation could damage Pakistan’s international reputation as a destination for mountaineering and adventure tourism.

He said foreign climbers could reconsider travelling to Pakistan if they developed concerns about the country’s emergency rescue systems and arrangements for the recovery and repatriation of bodies following accidents.

“This could have a negative impact on Pakistan’s tourism, mountaineering activities and international image,” he said.

Khan urged authorities to strengthen safety regulations and emergency response mechanisms for mountaineering expeditions to protect climbers and support their families during emergencies.