Pakistan’s first all-women expedition scales 5,400m Bari La Peak

KARACHI: Pakistan’s mountaineering history reached a new milestone on Thursday as the country’s first all-women expedition successfully summited the 5,400-meter Bari La Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The climb, organised by the Alpine Club of Pakistan to mark its Golden Jubilee, brought together women from every corner of the country — a rare display of unity and empowerment on the nation’s highest frontiers.

The team was led by Bibi Afzoon and included Mona Khan, a journalist from Islamabad, along with Amina Shabbir of Islamabad, Maria Bangash from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zeba Batool from Gilgit-Baltistan, Bisma Hassan and Iqra Jillani from Punjab, Laraib Batool from Balochistan, Madeeha Syed from Sindh, and Shahreen Khan from Islamabad.

According to Alpine Club of Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has hailed the achievement and has invited the team to the Prime Minister’s House in recognition of their courage.

Naila Kiani, Pakistan’s most decorated female mountaineer, called the summit “a heartwarming moment.” She added: “I am proud to see new girls turning to mountaineering, especially the younger generation. These climbers deserve proper support and backing so they can scale even higher peaks in the future.”

Guided by renowned climbers Sajid and Ashraf Sadpara, along with Fida Shigri and Sharif Sadpara, the women trained at Deosai Top before launching their push from basecamp. On September 10, they stood together at the summit of Bari La Peak -- etching their names into the country’s mountaineering history.

“This expedition proves that Pakistan’s daughters can rise to any peak,” said Alpine Club Vice President Karrar Haidri, vowing more initiatives in the future to encourage women in adventure sports.