Permit for Hunting the Markhor, Auctioned for Record Rs 100 Million
Second Permit Fetches $286,000; Two Others Sold for $270,000 and $240,000
Gilgit ( Web News)
In Gilgit-Baltistan, a record-breaking bid of Rs 100 million was placed for the trophy hunting permit of Pakistan’s national animal, the Astor Markhor, during a license auction for the upcoming hunting season. The second permit sold for $286,000, while two others were auctioned for $270,000 and $240,000 respectively.
The auction, held at the Forest, Parks, and Wildlife Complex in Gilgit, drew a large number of organizers and hunters. Permits for the 2025–26 hunting season were offered, including licenses for 4 Astor Markhors, 100 Himalayan Ibex, and 14 Blue Sheep.
The highest bid came from the owner of Shikar Safaris, who secured the Astor Markhor permit for the Nanga Parbat Conservancy Area with a record $370,000 bid—said to be the most expensive hunting permit for a Markhor ever issued globally. The second permit sold for $286,000, followed by $270,000 and $240,000 for the remaining two.
For Blue Sheep, the highest bid of $40,000 was made by Muhammad Ali Nagri of Markhor Safaris, who also successfully bid $13,000 for a Himalayan Ibex permit. He noted that this marked the highest price ever paid for an Astor Markhor permit worldwide. By comparison, during the 2024–25 season, the highest bid had reached only $161,000.
According to Khadim Abbas, Conservator for Parks and Wildlife in Gilgit-Baltistan, permit base prices were increased by 20% this year. The minimum fee for an Astor Markhor permit was set at $200,000, Blue Sheep at $30,000, and Ibex at $10,000. Last year, these were $150,000, $9,000, and $5,500 respectively.
For context, last year the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department auctioned a Markhor hunting permit in Chitral for $271,000.
However, local organizers and tour operators have raised concerns, warning that the sudden increase in fees is hurting business and discouraging foreign clients. Ikram Baig, a Gilgit-based organizer, said the hike is having a devastating impact on community livelihoods.
Similarly, Syed Samsam Ali Bukhari, Chairman of Safari Club International Pakistan Chapter, cautioned that rising prices are making Pakistan less competitive compared to neighboring countries. He pointed out that hunting a Markhor in Tajikistan, including logistics, costs around $160,000; Blue Sheep hunts in Nepal average $29,000; while Ibex hunts in Central Asia range between $8,500 and $9,900.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Trophy Hunting Program, launched in 1990 from Bar Valley in Nagar, directs around 80% of hunting revenues to local communities for conservation and development projects. This model has been credited with contributing to the protection of rare species. However, stakeholders warn that the recent fee hikes may put the future of the program at risk.