PESHAWAR: Two Russian climbers who were injured on the slopes of one of northern Pakistan’s highest mountains reached a hospital in Peshawar on Thursday, a week after they were stranded after being hit by falling ice.
The climbers were part of a five-member team of Russian climbers that was attempting to climb one of Gasherbrum’s peaks to retrieve the body of a fellow climber who died there last year when it was hit by a pile of ice on Friday.
Rescuers airlifted two of the mountaineers Monday, but two others remained stuck on the base camp because of their injuries and bad weather until Wednesday. Akhtar Hussain, a police official in Skardu, a city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, said the Russians were transported to a hospital by ambulance, and were in stable condition.
Karrar Haidri, the secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, told The Associated Press that climbers Mikhail Mironov and Sergei Mironov are getting the best medical care at a hospital in Skardu. He said the search for the fifth climber, Sergei Nilov, had been called off as he is presumed dead.
Hussain said doctors provided medical care to the two injured climbers. “They are sad over the death of their fifth colleague, but are thankful to the Pakistani rescuers and the army for making efforts to save their life,” he said.
He said one needed only minor medical care, while the other had bruises on his arms and legs because he was hit by the pile of ice on Friday
Haidri said the climbers were fully aware of the dangers linked to the mission when they began expedition to retrieve the body of their colleague whodied in 2023 on the same mountain while trying to scale it.
Hundreds of climbers try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year, and accidents are common because of avalanches and sudden weather changes. This month, a Pakistani climber Murad Sadpara, 35, known for taking part in high-altitude rescue missions died during a descent from one of the country’s tallest mountains in the north.
Russian climbers reach hospital after rescue in Pakistani Himalayas
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Russian climbers reach hospital after rescue in Pakistani Himalayas
- Five-member team of Russian climbers was attempting to climb Gasherbrum to retrieve body of fellow climber who died there last year
- Hundreds try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year, and accidents are common because of avalanches, weather changes
Pakistan eyes enhancing mines, minerals cooperation with Saudi Arabia at Future Minerals Forum 2026
- Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik meets Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef in Riyadh
- Saudi minister offers to support Pakistan’s mining industry via Kingdom’s knowledge and expertise, says Pakistan’s petroleum ministry
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik met Saudi Arabia’s minister of industry and mineral resources at the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh on Monday, the Pakistani petroleum ministry said, during which both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the mines and minerals sector.
Malik is leading the Pakistani delegation at the FMF 2026 summit in Riyadh. The Jan. 13-15 event is expected to attract around 20,000 representatives from governments, businesses, multilateral and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and trade associations from more than 160 countries, organizers said. At least 13 public and private companies from Pakistan’s mines and mineral sector are participating in the event.
“The minister held a meeting with Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, during which both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the minerals and mining sector,” the Pakistani petroleum ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said Alkhorayef pointed out “vast opportunities” for cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the mineral sector, adding that the Kingdom would support the development of Pakistan’s mining industry through its knowledge and technical expertise.
Malik said fertilizer production and medical devices manufacturing sectors also present important opportunities for joint ventures between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a leader in the global minerals and energy sectors and accelerated investments in green technologies, sustainable mining practices and international collaborations that are shaping the future of the mines and mineral industry.
Pakistan organized a minerals summit in April 2025 which saw participation from major international companies including the Canada-based Barrick Gold and officials from the US, Saudi Arabia, China, Türkiye, UK, Azerbaijan and other nations.
Islamabad also plans to organize a Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum this year to attract foreign investment in its mines and minerals sector. Pakistan lies in the middle of the mineral-rich geological zone, called the ‘Tethyan Belt,’ where one of the world’s largest copper-gold mines is currently under development at Reko Diq.
This mine is expected to start production by 2028.
