SPECIAL REPORT
ISLAMABAD: The 14th annual Pakistan Mountain Festival, the world’s largest event highlighting mountain conservation, culture, and community, is set to begin on November 27.
Organized by Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan), this two-week festival celebrates Pakistan’s majestic mountain regions and the communities that call them home, including the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindu Kush ranges.
The festival will kick off with a live painting session by students at the Punjab Arts Council, where young artists will portray their visions of mountain heritage and environmental themes, according to Munir Ahmed, Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director and festival founder.
This opening event leads into a series of gatherings across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, blending culture, ecology, and traditional mountain crafts.
The festival annually celebrates International Mountain Day on December 11, and this year’s lineup features a variety of events designed to engage mountain lovers, environmentalists, and the general public.
Highlights include a mountain biodiversity talk, a hiking and cleanup activity on Margalla Hills, a youth forum, and a vibrant fair showcasing mountain crafts, cuisine, and music.
Ahmed noted that the festival aims to connect mountain communities with a broader audience, spotlighting both the challenges and the cultural wealth of Pakistan’s high-altitude areas. “The Pakistan Mountain Festival serves as a global model for mainstreaming mountain issues and encouraging sustainable development,” Ahmed said, adding, “We hope it inspires action and builds public appreciation for the mountains that sustain us.”
For those passionate about nature, culture, and sustainable practices, this year’s Pakistan Mountain Festival offers an immersive experience that combines artistic expression, eco-tourism education, and cultural celebration.
Open to all, the festival invites attendees to enjoy diverse events while gaining insight into mountain conservation and community empowerment.
Meanwhile in a recent statement, Minister for Minorities Affairs Punjab Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora has said that nature has blessed Pakistan with beautiful tourist spots. Pakistan visa for Sikhs is absolutely free and can be obtained online in 48 hours. There are 280 religious places in Pakistan and 80% are holy places of Sikh religion. He expressed these views while addressing a conference held in a local hotel in Islamabad regarding tourism potential in Pakistan. According to the details, a conference regarding tourism potential in Pakistan was held in a local hotel in Islamabad. Punjab Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora specially participated in the conference. Addressing the participants of the conference, Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs Punjab Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said that Pakistan is blessed by nature with beautiful tourist destinations. Religious tourism potential in Pakistan is very rich. Pakistan visa for Sikhs is absolutely free and can be obtained online in 48 hours. Pakistan has 280 religious places and 80% are holy places of Sikh religion. The provincial minister said that tourism is helping to highlight the positive image of the country. Pakistan has numerous religious, cultural, mountain and coastal tourism attractions places that are the center of attraction for domestic and international tourists. Every Sikh has a religious connection with Pakistan. More than 200 religious places and Gurdwaras are in country. There are more than 100 Gurdwaras in Nankana, Lahore,Kasur and Narowal. He said that the hearts of Sikhs beat with Pakistan. A false statement has been made about the security of Sikh religious places in Pakistan. There is a very rich heritage of Sikhs in Pakistan. Jainists also want to come to Pakistan, their heritage is also I’m country. Religious tourism will promote tourism and the real positive face of Pakistan in abroad. Other participants addressing the conference said that the steps taken by the government to promote tourism are commendable. The promotion of tourism also has positive effects on the economy.
