Islamabad : The successful ascent of Mountain Everest by Pakistani climber Sirbaz Khan was feted at a reception by Serena Hotels on Wednesday evening.
On May 12, 2021, the 32-year-old resident of Hunza valley in Gilgit-Baltistan region had summited the world’s tallest peak as part of Mission 14, his quest to become the first Pakistani to scale all 14 peaks over 8000 meters around the world.
The event highlighted and celebrated the phenomenal mountaineering career of Sirbaz Khan, who began climbing as a mountain guide and kitchen crew member with international expeditions for over 11 years before becoming a professional mountaineer. He tends to use no supplemental oxygen, which is a further testament to his grit and talent.
Serena Hotels has been sponsoring Sirbaz on his expeditions under its Adventure Diplomacy community initiative that aims to encourage and support adventure sports in the Pakistan.
“This feat is a source of great pride for Pakistan and for Serena Hotels. Pakistani mountaineers and sportspeople have tremendous potential, however in order to achieve their lofty ambitions they need a supportive environment, for which we all must play our role,” said CEO of Serena Hotels (South and Central Asia) Aziz Boolani on the occasion that was attended by senior members of the diplomatic corps, journalists and socialites. He urged the government and private sector to step forward and support Pakistani talent.
Sirbaz said he was proud of raising Pakistan's flag on top of the world for which he thanked the Almighty Allah.
"My aim is to keep inspiring our mountaineering community by becoming the first Pakistani to scale the 14 highest peaks of the world,” he said announcing his departure for his next mission to climb Gasherbrum 1 and Gasherbrum II in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range.
He said making an international name in mountaineering would help uplift and bring development to the remote areas of Pakistan's northern areas.
"I dedicate my success to the support of the whole team including the high and low altitude porters, cooks, helpers and everyone from mountaineering community,” he said thanking Serena Hotels and other sponsors for their support.
Sirbaz summited Mt. Everest just 26 days after becoming the first Pakistani along with Abdul Joshi to ascend Mountain Annapurna, the tenth highest peak in the world, also in Nepal. His previous summits include Lhotse (8,516m) and Manaslu (8,163m) in Nepal and K2, Nanga Parbat (8,126m) and Broad Peak (8,051m) in Pakistan. He has dedicated his Mission 14 to his mentor and companion, Muhammad Ali Sadpara, who perished during a climbing expedition to K-2 earlier this year.