<p>Understanding whether and how dense rocks in continental crust are recycled back to mantle depths is crucial to deciphering the evolution of the Earth. Viscous drainage of the eclogitic layer in the lower thickened crust has been proposed as a mechanism that predates plate tectonics, but it has not been confirmed by observations. Specifically, it remains unclear whether this mechanism operated during orogenesis driven by modern plate tectonics. The Pamir Plateau lies at the western end of the active Himalayan-Tibetan orogen in the India-Asia collision zone. Here, we present a three-dimensional resistivity model constructed by inverting magnetotelluric data from the eastern Pamir and its surroundings. The mid-crustal conductors are interpreted as trapped aqueous fluids from eclogitization reactions in the lower thickened crust. Three-dimensional resistivity modeling supports the hypothesis of a nearly vertical collision mechanism between the East Pamir crust and the Tarim crust. In addition, the resistivity and velocity structures, as well as the characteristics of intermediate-depth earthquakes, can be well explained by viscous drainage followed by dripping of the eclogitic layer based on the petrophysical properties and rheological behavior. We argue that viscous drainage and dripping have initiated and are ongoing in the eastern Pamir, potentially representing the early-stage of stabilization in the orogen.</p>