ISLAMABAD: A documentary film based on the dramatic 2023 Batagram chairlift rescue operation will be released in cinemas across Pakistan later this year, bringing the story of local courage, poor infrastructure and a remarkable rescue effort to a wider audience.
Titled ‘Hanging by a Wire,’ the documentary explores the challenges faced by residents of Allai Valley and highlights the bravery and resourcefulness of local people who helped rescue eight individuals trapped in a chairlift hundreds of feet above the ground.
Speaking to Geo Digital, producer, director and writer Mohammad Ali Naqvi (Mo Naqvi) said the film was created to showcase the courage of local residents to an international audience.
Naqvi said the rescue was unusual because the Pakistan Army, local residents and administration worked together to save the trapped passengers. He praised the skills demonstrated by local people during the operation despite the area’s limited infrastructure.
He said the documentary also aims to draw attention to children who depend on chairlifts to travel to school. The filmmakers hope the project can encourage NGOs to support initiatives aimed at improving transportation infrastructure in the region.
Original Footage Captures Rescue Effort
Naqvi said the documentary features original footage recorded during the incident. Drone footage was captured by a local jewellery shop owner, Faisal, while other residents also provided videos they had recorded during the rescue.
Producer and writer Bilal Sami said the filmmakers wanted to bring attention to local Pakistani heroes whose stories often receive little international exposure. He said the documentary aims to present a positive image of Pakistan through the courage and determination shown during the rescue.
‘Hanging by a Wire’ is currently being screened in cinemas in the United Kingdom and United States and has also featured at the Sundance Film Festival, where it received a positive response from audiences. The documentary is scheduled for a nationwide cinema release in Pakistan later this year.
The 2023 Batagram Chairlift Rescue
The incident took place on August 23, 2023, in Batagram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Eight people were trapped in a chairlift after two of its cables snapped, leaving the lift suspended around 900 feet above the ground on a single remaining cable.
Pakistan Army personnel rescued one person using a helicopter, while local zipline experts, including Ali Swati and Sahib Khan, were brought in to help rescue the remaining passengers.
After around 12 hours, all eight people were safely evacuated, bringing the high-risk rescue operation to a successful conclusion.
Local residents have since continued to raise concerns about the condition of chairlift infrastructure in the district, saying significant improvements are still needed to ensure safer transportation for communities that rely on the system.