April 25, 2008	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 18, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 24: A five-member Austro-German whitewater kayaking team, led by Bernhard Mauracher from Austria, has reached the capital city after successfully completing its 30-day river running expedition in the Northern Areas that was organised by the Adventure Foundation Pakistan (AFP).

Speaking at a press conference at the Adventure Complex on Thursday, AFP Senior Vice-President Brig (retired) Mohammad Akram congratulated the team on successfully kayaking around most challenging sections of Indus, Astore, Kunhar, Neelum and Jhelum rivers. In total the team covered more than 290km at Indus and Astore rivers, and more than 200km at Kunhar, Neelum and Jhelum rivers.

He said the expedition would open doors for this adventure sports in Pakistan and would also help promote adventure tourism in the country.

During the month-long expedition, the team managed to successfully run River Indus from Skardu to Chilas, River Astore from Astore to Thalichi, River Kunhar from Balakot to Ghari Habibullah, River Neelum from Patika to Muzaffarabad, and River Jhelum from Hattian Bala to Muzaffarabad.

AFP Vice-President Aftab Rana gave briefing about the activities of expedition during the last 30 days.

Sharing his experience in Pakistan, the team leader Bernhard Mauracher mentioned that he was very happy that his team had successfully completed this expedition.

He said the water in Indus was touching high marks on its banks with additional waters gushing in from melting snow and glaciers on its route, but because of the determination of team members, we managed to complete the most challenging portion of River Indus.

He said whitewater kayaking was a popular adventure sport in Europe, but very few people know that such a tremendous opportunities were available in Pakistan. There is complete lack of information about the great river running possibilities in Pakistan, he added.

Showing his concern about the environmental pollution, he said the team had observed that waters of River Neelum and River Jhelum were being polluted by careless disposal of untreated sewerage water and solid waste.