ISLAMABAD: Tributes poured in for Pakistani climber Muhammad Ali Sadpara on Friday, a day after his son announced the end of a search operation for his father and two other missing climbers who had been attempting a winter ascent of the K2 mountain.
Pakistan’s Sadpara, Iceland’s John Snorri and Chile’s JP Mohr were last sighted on February 5, at around 10 am, at what is considered the most difficult part of the climb: the Bottleneck, a steep and narrow gully just 300 meters shy of the 8,611 meter (28,251 ft) high K2.
Addressing a news briefing with the mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region’s tourism minister, Raja Nasir Ali Khan, Sajid Sadpara, who last saw his father at about 8,200 meters, announced that he was “no more.”
“Rest in peace @ali_sadpara, @john_snorri & #JPMohr,” Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted. “Your spirit, passion, grit & determination in the face of every kind of hardship leaves behind a rich legacy, inspiring generations.”
Rest in peace @ali_sadpara, @john_snorri & #JPMohr. Your spirit, passion, grit & determination in the face of every kind of hardship leaves behind a rich legacy, inspiring generations. #AliSadpara, pride of
My prayers & condolences are with the families of the departed. pic.twitter.com/ONsnzynIWf— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) February 18, 2021
Nestled along the China-Pakistan border, K2 is the world’s second highest peak and its most deadly mountain, with immense skill required to charter its steep slopes, high winds, slick ice and ever-changing weather conditions. Of the 367 people that had completed its ascent by 2018, 86 had died. The Pakistani military is regularly called in to rescue climbers using helicopters, but the weather often makes that difficult.
Earlier in January, a team of 10 Nepali climbers made history by becoming the first to ever scale K2 in winter. Sadpara and his expedition members were making their second attempt at climbing K2 this winter in a season that had already seen three other climbers die in the area.
Britain’s high commission in Pakistan, Christian Turner, wrote a message of tribute for Sadpara with the Urdu lyrics of the song: “Tum Chalay aao pahaaroun ki kasam” (Please come back for the sake of the mountains).
“Tum Chalay aao pahaaroun ki kasam”. Our thoughts are with the family of #AliSadpara & his fallen colleagues. People like Ali need to be celebrated - a courageous climber, a legend.
@SajidAliSadpara @voboline https://t.co/3pmZCCmi4U— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) February 18, 2021
Amal Khan, features editor for Arab News, who has extensively reported on Sadpara’s story since he went missing, wrote a poem for the climber:
“Oh to be like Sadpara-- to die in the arms of my truth, kissed forever by the suns of my youth. Nuzzled in the Neck where my peace and story, my God and glory held me like a dream. Back when I was afraid, back when I was still here-- to be like Sadpara when my time is near.”
Oh to be like Sadpara-- to die in the arms of my truth, kissed forever by the suns of my youth. Nuzzled in the Neck where my peace and story, my God and glory held me like a dream. Back when I was afraid, back when I was still here-- to be like Sadpara when my time is near.
— Amal Khan (@amalkhan) February 18, 2021
“Dedicating the 1st ever match at Gwadar Stadium to Pakistan’s son #MuhammadAliSadpara. The match tomorrow [Friday] will start with a prayer in his memory ... This is the beauty of our land, even our loss unites us ..from K2 to Gwadar to Quetta,” special assistant to the prime minister on overseas Pakistanis, Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari said on Twitter, referring to the inaugural match to be held at a new stadium built in Pakistan’s southwestern port city of Gwadar.
Dedicating the 1st ever match at Gwadar Stadium to Pakistan’s son #MuhammadAliSadpara. The match tomorrow will start with a prayer in his memory.
This is the beauty of our land, even our loss unites us ..from K2 to Gwadar to Quetta.#CricketAtGwadar pic.twitter.com/FIyFP3tZhm— Sayed Z Bukhari (@sayedzbukhari) February 18, 2021
Senior leader of the ruling PTI party, Jahangir Khan Tareen, said: “Deeply saddened at the death of Ali Sadpara. He was a real hero of Pakistan. My heart goes out to his family.”
Deeply saddened at the death of Ali Sadpara. He was a real hero of Pakistan. My heart goes out to his family. May Allah give him the highest ranks in heaven & may He give strength to the bereaved family. Ameen.
— Jahangir Khan Tareen (@JahangirKTareen) February 19, 2021
Journalist Nuzhat S Siddiqi said the only way to honor Sadpara’s memory was to “never to ignore his son, and to fund and sponsor each and every one of his mountaineering expeditions and other social endeavours for the betterment of his people.”
The only way to honour Ali Sadpara's memory is never to ignore his son, and to fund and sponsor each and every one of his mountaineering expeditions and other social endeavours for the betterment of his people. #AliSadpara
— Nuzhat S. Siddiqi (@guldaar) February 18, 2021
On Thursday, Gilgit-Baltistan tourism minister Raja Nasir Ali Khan had requested the federal government to present a civil award to Sadpara and his son.
He also said the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan would personally announce a financial package to support the Sadpara family.
“We will arrange scholarships for [Sadpara’s] children to help them with their education,” Khan said. “We will also request [the government] to name the Skardu airport after Muhammad Ali Sadpara and do the same with the mountaineering school in Shigar district.”
Author Fatima Bhutto tweeted for Sadpara: “Against all the terrible odds, he gave us hope.”
Very saddened to learn of the passing of Ali Sadpara. Against all the terrible odds, he gave us hope.
— fatima bhutto (@fbhutto) February 18, 2021
One of Pakistan’s top actors, Humayun Saeed wrote: “The tale of his love for the mountains, his passion & bravery will continue to inspire many.”
Ali Sadpara will always be remembered as our national hero. The tale of his love for the mountains, his passion & bravery will continue to inspire many. Deepest condolences to his family and the families of Jon Snorri & Juan Pablo pic.twitter.com/5U9QPuQCxV
— Humayun Saeed (@iamhumayunsaeed) February 18, 2021
