ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani mountaineer on Wednesday claimed to have found three highest lakes during his latest expedition in Karakoram mountain range.

Mountaineer Omar Ahsan, who introduced himself as nephew of the 1965 war hero Squadron Leader M. M. Alam, addressing a press conference at the National Press Club said during his 14-day expedition to Karakoram mountain range at Ghuzarev mountain zone, he discovered an Alpine Lake, which he named after M.M. Alam.

He said that the altitude of M.M. Alam Lake was 17,077 ft above sea level, making it the country’s highest lake.

He said he discovered another lake in the area, which is located at 16,398 ft height. He said he named the lake after Lalak Jan Shaheed.

In the same range, he found what he said the third highest lake of the country, which was 15,990 ft above sea level.

Later, speaking to Dawn, he said that these three lakes are country’s highest lake. He said that across the globe there are hardly 20 lakes of 5000 meter long.

Mr Ahsan said earlier, country’s highest lake was Paristan Lake, which he had discovered last year. He said that the altitude of the Paristan Lake was 15,641 feet above sea level.

The mountaineer said that during expedition, he found Weasel animal, which was usually available in Siberia and North America. He said the peak, where he found Weasel, has been named after Weasel.

The mountaineer also showed pictures of the highest lakes with GPS marked altitude to media person.

Replying to a question, he said he was ready to provide pictures for any forensic audit, if anybody wants to challenge his new discoveries.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2019