Karim Shah Nizari (born 9 March 1991 – died 23 September 2025) was a Pakistani adventure and wildlife photographer, mountaineer, and social worker from Yasin Valley in Ghizer District, Gilgit-Baltistan. He studied at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, and devoted much of his life to exploring the high mountains of the Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges. Known for his paragliding, skiing, and mountain climbing skills, he also worked as a licensed guide, leading expeditions across Hunza, Skardu, Chitral, Wakhan, and other remote regions of Pakistan and Central Asia. His photography highlighted the natural beauty and wildlife of these landscapes, and he collaborated with international organizations to promote adventure tourism and environmental awareness.
Alongside his passion for exploration, Karim Shah Nizari was engaged in social initiatives, including supporting education through projects like Bildung für Pakistan to provide opportunities for underprivileged children. On 23 September 2025, at the age of 34, he tragically passed away due to a heart attack in his hometown, Yasin Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan. His legacy remains as an adventurer who combined his love for the mountains with a commitment to community service and cultural preservation.
Photography by Karim Shah Nizari
- Mountain and adventure sports: Nizari has over eight years of experience as a mountain guide and has engaged in various adventure sports, including climbing, paragliding, and skiing in the mountainous regions of Pakistan. He often writes and shares content about these experiences online.
- Journalism and social commentary: He is an author for the Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune, writing about local topics and issues affecting mountain communities.
- Blogging: He maintains a blog titled “Mountain Fairy Tales” where he shares his personal reflections and experiences.
- Photography: Nizari is also a photographer who shares his work on social media and stock photo websites.
- Social media presence: He is active on multiple social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, where he posts about his adventures, photography, and commentary on social and environmental issues in the Yasin and Broghil valleys.
- Environmental conservation: He is an advocate for environmental protection, frequently posting about the effects of climate change and human encroachment on wildlife. He has shared critical commentary on incidents such as bear attacks linked to tourist activity in Deosai National Park.
- Preservation of culture: He documents and shares the traditions of local mountain communities, such as ancient rituals and practices, while lamenting the erosion of these cultures due to modernization and tourism.
- Social awareness: He brings attention to social issues, including healthcare disparities in remote areas like the Broghil valley, where residents face high mortality rates.