SKARDU, Aug 5: The Italian minister for agriculture and forestry Giavino Allemanno laid the foundation stone here for the construction of a museum to the mountaineering efforts on K-2.

He was speaking at the concluding session of the month-long K-2 golden jubilee celebrations and the 51st anniversary of the conquest of Nanga Parbat here. Speaking to journalists, Mr Allemanno said: "I believe that mountains can help countries keep close ties and one should realize the benefits the world got from the International Year of Mountains three years back."

The Italian minister paid rich tributes to the people of Hunza and said that the first ascent of K-2 made through the sacrifices of people of Hunza who reached the summit without oxygen, will never be forgotten.

Mr Silvio Calvi - the Italian architect of the museum said that "setting up of a museum at Skardu was my wife's idea, giving Pakistani people more than simple celebrations of K-2 golden jubilee celebrations".

He said that the building structure of the museum would be pyramid-shaped more or less like the shape of the K-2 peak. "This museum is being constructed in memorial of those mountaineers who attempted to conquer K-2 from 1909 to date and the hardships faced by mountaineers and porters.

The museum will be having portraits, rare pictures and other artifacts about K-2, and the many expeditions to climb the mountain. Northern Areas Chief Secretary Fareed Khan Wazir also spoke and thanked the Italian government.