ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army began a search operation on the world’s ninth-highest mountain, the Nanga Parbat, on Thursday, in a bid to rescue two foreign mountaineers who have been missing since February 24.
Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Stefano Pontecorvo on Thursday said, the Pakistan army “has authorized a helicopter for a search and rescue mission on the Nanga Parbat in the area in which Daniele Nardi and Tom Ballard should presumably be.”
He added that the rescue helicopter deployed for the purpose “is flying and approaching the area of Nanga Parbat where they could be.”
Daniel Nardi, a 42-year-old seasoned Italian winter alpinist, and Tom Ballard a 31-year-old mountaineer from the United Kingdom, were attempting a winter ascent along the demanding Mummery Ridge route on the mountain when they lost contact on Sunday, February 24. As part of his last conversation with his wife, Nardi had said that they were at 6,300 meters and descending.
Leading the rescue mission is mountaineer Ali Sadpara, the first Pakistani to summit the Nanga Parbat in a winter ascent, along with two other local mountaineers.
“Ali Sadpara is on board. [The] weather [is] still conducive to search. Praying for a speedy and positive outcome. Thank you to Pak Army for assistance,” Pontecorvo said.
Nanga Parbat, locally known as Diamer, is located 8,126 meters (26,660 ft) above sea level. Located in the Diamer District of Gilgit Baltistan, Parbat is one of the 14 eight-thousanders mountains recognized by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation or UIAA. Due to its notoriously difficult climb, it is also known as the “killer mountain.”
Pakistan army mobilizes search operations for foreign mountaineers
Pakistan army mobilizes search operations for foreign mountaineers
Pakistan, ADB sign $730 loan agreements to boost SOE reforms, energy infrastructure
- Both sign $330 million Power Transmission Strengthening Project and $400 million SOE Transformation Program loan agreements
- Economic Affairs Division official says Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening national grid’s backbone
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed two loan agreements totaling $730 million to boost reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and energy infrastructure in the country, the bank said.
The first of the two agreements pertains to the SOE Transformation Program worth $400 million while the second loan, worth $330 million, is for a Power Transmission Strengthening Project, the lender said.
The agreements were signed by ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan and Pakistan’s Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Humair Karim.
“The agreements demonstrate ADB’s enduring commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan,” the ADB said.
Pakistan’s SOEs have incurred losses worth billions of dollars over the years due to financial mismanagement and corruption. These entities, including the country’s national airline Pakistan International Airlines, which was sold to a private group this week, have relied on subsequent government bailouts over the years to operate.
The ADB approved the $400 million loan for SOE reforms on Dec. 12. It said the program seeks to improve governance and optimize the performance of Pakistan’s commercial SOEs.
Karim highlighted that the Power Transmission Strengthening Project will enable reliable evacuation of 2,300 MW from Pakistan’s upcoming hydropower projects, relieve overloading of existing transmission lines and enhance resilience under contingency conditions, the Press Information Department (PID) said.
“The Secretary emphasized that both initiatives are transformative in nature as the Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening the backbone of the national grid whereas the SOE Program will enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability of state-owned enterprises nationwide,” the PID said.
The ADB has supported reforms by Pakistan to strengthen its public finance and social protection systems. It has also undertaken programs in the country to help with post-flood reconstruction, improve food security and social and human capital.
To date, ADB says it has committed 764 public sector loans, grants and technical assistance totaling $43.4 billion to Pakistan.
