From Telecom Engineer to Travel Entrepreneur: A Journey from Naran to Ratti Gali

As soon as the shy, soft-spoken but strong porter Nazir Lala agreed, it felt like a heavy burden had been lifted off our shoulders.

Perhaps he took pity on our tired faces, or maybe financial need compelled him to accept us despite our limited budget — whatever the reason, we were happy that our problem was solved.

Aurangzeb Alamgir from Karachi shared with BBC Urdu the story of the adventure trip that completely changed his life.

Aurangzeb graduated from NED University in Karachi with a degree in telecommunications, but he is now known not as an engineer but as the founder of a well-known online travel and tourism startup, having won multiple awards and grants.

The Life-Changing Journey

Aurangzeb described the journey that inspired his startup idea:

“In September 2018, my 25-year-old friend Umair and I, along with porter Nazir Lala, embarked on a five-day trek from Naran to Ratti Gali Pass, also known as Noori Pass. Nazir Lala, a local porter, knew every inch of the region. Though his mare was pregnant, he agreed to carry our luggage to Ratti Gali for 2,500 rupees per day — on the condition that we would allow enough time for the mare to rest.”

Aurangzeb explained that the trip came at a transitional point in his life. His telecom job had ended, and his next interview was still some time away.

Birth of the Startup Idea

During the trek, Aurangzeb realized how difficult it was to find reliable porters and guides for adventure tours in Pakistan’s remote northern regions.

He envisioned an online platform that would connect travelers with experienced, honest, and knowledgeable porters like Nazir Lala — especially those who often missed out on work due to their quiet nature.

Initially, the idea was a social initiative, not a business.

However, learning about the financial struggles of Nazir Lala convinced Aurangzeb to create a proper platform to support such workers.

Launching “Porter Pakistan”

Upon returning to Karachi, Aurangzeb reached out to Nest I/O, an incubation center run by the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).

With the mentorship of Jehan Ara, Aurangzeb refined his business model.

His brother, Waqar, who was studying digital media and software in Germany, helped build the online platform. In 2019, they launched Porter Pakistan, initially offering only porter services.

Expanding the Business

After advice from a tech consultant, Aurangzeb expanded the platform to include hotels, transport, and ticketing services. However, the first four months brought zero bookings.

Instead of giving up, Aurangzeb personally visited over 130 hotels across northern Pakistan — often riding his motorbike for 16 hours a day — to convince owners to join the platform.

Pandemic Challenges and Comeback

The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted operations, but when travel restrictions eased in mid-2020, Porter Pakistan gained significant traction.

Aurangzeb’s persistence paid off when he secured grants from SMEDA and won third place in a startup competition.

The game-changer came when the World Bank awarded Porter Pakistan $35,000 in seed funding through the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

Today and Beyond

Despite setbacks, Aurangzeb Alamgir’s journey from a telecom engineer to a travel startup founder highlights how perseverance and a desire to help others can transform lives.

His platform not only connects travelers with trusted guides but also uplifts local communities in Pakistan’s remote regions — proving that great ideas often come from life’s toughest journeys.