KHAPLU, GILGIT-BALTISTAN: Prominent Pakistani women mountaineers Naila Kiani and Samina Baig on Sunday summited the country’s second-highest mountain, Nanga Parbat, making the former the first Pakistani woman climber to achieve the feat.
Nicknamed the “Killer Mountain,” Nanga Parbat stands at 8,125 meters (26,660 feet) and is recognized as the world’s ninth-highest peak and Pakistan’s second-highest. Several climbers have in the past died attempting to summit the towering mountain, among them Italian Daniele Nardi and Briton Tom Ballard who went missing and were later declared dead in 2019.
With her latest feat, Kiani became the first Pakistani woman to summit the peak and the first Pakistani female climber to summit seven out of the 14 eight-thousander mountains in the world. Baig and Kiani achieve the feat with over a dozen national and international climbers who summited Nanga Parbat.
“Today on July 2, 2023, at 10:18 a.m., Naila Kiani scaled the majestic Nanga Parbat, standing tall at an inspirational height of the eight-thousander,” Karrar Haidri, the secretary-general of the Alpine Club of Pakistan — a non-government organization that promotes mountaineering — said in a statement.
“Naila has now ascended seven of the enormous 8,000-meter peaks on the planet, establishing her as one of the most talented climbers of our time,” Haidri added.
Speaking to Arab News, Haideri said:
“Samina Baig and Naila Kiani are both strong climbers and they are making the name of our country proud.”
Prior to this feat, Kiani has summited the legendary Mount Everest, the difficult K2, the commanding Lhotse, the perilous Annapurna, the elusive G1, and the G2 in Pakistan.
With her latest feat, Baig has now summited three out of the 14 eight-thousanders in the world. According to Haidri, Wajid Ullah Nagri and ten other international climbers summited Nanga Parbat on Sunday with Baig and Kiani.
“They overcame hazardous terrain, severe weather, and a plethora of challenges thanks to their undying determination, talent, and teamwork,” he said. “Their success serves as both a source of motivation for aspirant climbers and proof of the unflappable spirit of human endeavor,” the statement added.
Last month, 23 climbers from Norway, Russia, the United States, Switzerland, France, Turkiye, Mexico, Nepal and Pakistan summited Nanga Parbat.
Pakistani women climbers Naila Kiani, Samina Baig summit ‘Killer Mountain’ Nanga Parbat
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Pakistani women climbers Naila Kiani, Samina Baig summit ‘Killer Mountain’ Nanga Parbat
- Naila Kiani becomes first Pakistani woman to summit seven out of 14 eight-thousander mountains
- Kiani and Samina Baig achieve summit Nanga Parbat with other a dozen local, international climbers
At least 10 injured as blast hits mosque in Pakistani capital of Islamabad
- The blast occurred around the time of Friday prayers when a large number of worshippers gather at mosques
- It comes amid a surge in militancy in Pakistan, follows a suicide blast that killed 12 people in Islamabad in Nov.
ISLAMABAD: At least 10 people were injured after a blast hit a mosque on the outskirts of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, police and local administration said on Friday.
The blast occurred at the mosque in Tarlai area around the time of Friday prayers, when a large number of Muslims congregate to offer the weekly prayers.
It comes amid a surge in militancy in Pakistan and follows a suicide blast that killed 12 people and injured 36 others outside a district court’s complex in Islamabad in Nov.
The injured persons have been shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital, according to the Islamabad district administration.
“The site of the blast has been sealed,” a spokesman for the Islamabad district administration said.
Taqi Jawad, a spokesman for the Islamabad police, said the blast occurred at an imambargah.
“More details will be shared in due course,” he added.
— This is a developing story, more to follow shortly.
