8000ers, Increase of Royalty Fees. The Pakistan Ministry of Tourism announced that for the year 2000, the fee for 8000-meter peaks would be raised, from US $7,500 for five members and $700 dollars for every additional member, to US $9,000 for seven climbers and $3,000 per additional member. For K2, the royalty was raised from US $9,000 dollars for five climbers and $1,000 dollars per additional member to US $12,000 for seven climbers plus $3,000 per additional member

Aziz Ahmed Khan, the Director of Operations for the Ministry of Tourism, said the Ministry now ensured that all the expedition requests should be finalized in 90 days.

Asem Mustafa Awan, The Nation, Pakistan