Pakistani climbers Sirbaz Khan, Abid Baig summit Hindu Kush range’s highest peak

The handout photograph released on August 24, 2025, shows Pakistani climbers Sirbaz Khan and Abid Baig pose for a photo after summitting Tirich Mir, the highest peak in the Hindu Kush mountain range, in Chitral District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. (KP Tourism Authority)
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Updated 24 August 2025
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Pakistani climbers Sirbaz Khan, Abid Baig summit Hindu Kush range’s highest peak

  • Located in Pakistan’s northwestern Chitral district, Tirich Mir stands at 7,708 meters high 
  • Pakistan’s northern region is home to some of the tallest peaks and a major tourist destination

ISLAMABAD: Climbers Sirbaz Khan and Abig Baig have successfully summitted the Tirich Mir, the highest peak in the Hindu Kush mountain range located in northwestern Pakistan, state-run media reported on Sunday. 

Tirich Mir, located in Pakistan’s northwestern Chitra district, is the highest peak of the Hindu Kush mountain range at 7,708 meters. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial government undertook the initiative by taking a seven-member team of mountaineers to summit the peak. 

Other than Khan and Baig, the rest of the five climbers reached up to 7,300 meters but were unable to go further due to harsh weather conditions, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. The team included KP Director of Tourism Authority Umar Khan, Dr. Naveed Iqbal, Major Muhammad Atif, Shams-ul-Qamar, and Akmal Naveed.

“According to Director of the Tourism Authority, Umar Khan, mountaineers Sirbaz Khan and Abid Baig, who hail from Gilgit-Baltistan, successfully climbed the peak,” the report said. 

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur congratulated the Pakistani climbers on successfully summiting Tirich Mir. The provincial government had earlier declared the year 2025–26 as the “Year of Tirich Mir,” the report added. 

After summitting the peak, Khan said his dream of summiting Tirich Mir was made possible thanks to the support of the provincial government. 

The Pakistani climber pointed out that there are several other peaks near Tirich Mir that have the potential to boost adventure tourism in the future. 

Pakistan’s northern region, especially Gilgit-Baltistan, is home to some of the tallest peaks in the world and a major tourist destination. Thousands of tourists and foreign climbers visit the region each year for expeditions on various peaks, paragliding and other sports activities.

Pakistan has produced several professional climbers, both men and women, who have summited some of the world’s tallest peaks in recent years.


Tariq confident Pakistan can bounce back after India drubbing

Updated 17 February 2026
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Tariq confident Pakistan can bounce back after India drubbing

  • Pakistan suffered 61-run defat at India’s hands, must beat Namibia on Wednesday to advance further 
  • Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq says team has worked on mistakes, has resolved not to repeat them

COLOMBO: Spinner Usman Tariq said Tuesday he was confident that Pakistan can bounce back from their T20 World Cup drubbing against India and seal qualification for the next round.

India’s 61-run romp means Pakistan must beat Namibia in their final match in Colombo on Wednesday to qualify for the Super Eights.

A defeat would eliminate Pakistan, who are third behind the USA on net run rate in Group A.

It would also leave an outside chance for the Netherlands to qualify, but they would need a big win over co-hosts India in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

“Lifting the team is only difficult when you don’t work on your mistakes committed in the last game,” Tariq told reporters.

“We have worked on our mistakes so I think it will not be a tough task.

“We have a resolve not to commit the same mistakes again.”

Pakistan were criticized for asking India to bat then folding meekly for 114 in 18 overs chasing a stiff 176 target.

“We can feel their (fans’) disappointment because the match is watched by the whole nation,” Tariq said.

“So we feel their pain but I am sure when we play them (India) next we will put up a better show.”

Tariq dismissed rumors that batting star Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi could be dropped against Namibia after poor performances against India.

“Both Azam and Shaheen have won many matches for Pakistan so if they did not perform well in one game we should not write them off,” said Tariq.

Pakistan have faced Namibia only once before in a T20 international.

“Whoever we play we have the confidence to beat them and our goal is to play the final and win the cup which we will try our best to achieve.”

Namibia have lost all three of their group matches.