GILGIT: Mohammad Abdul Joshi and Sirbaz Khan on Friday became the first Pakistanis to scale Annapurna (8,091 meters) peak, the world’s 10th highest, in Nepal.

They hoisted Pakistani flag at the peak.

The two were accompanied by 44 international climbers.

Sirbaz Khan from Aliabad Hunza and Mohammad Abdul Joshi from Shimshal Hunza of Gilgit-Baltistan had begun the expedition on the second week of March and established the base camp on March 23.

The expedition officials congratulated the nation over the accomplishment and said the government should give the ‘due respect, recognition and appreciation’ to the unsung heroes.

They prayed for the safe return of climbers to the base camp.

The officials said the summit was dedicated to noted Pakistani mountaineer Mohammad Ali Sadpara, who lost life on K2 in Feb this year, andthe country’s ‘underprivileged’ mountaineering community.

Sirbaz Khan, 33,has so far climbed five peaks of more than 8,000 meters, including K2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak in Pakistan and Manaslu and Lohtse peaks in Nepal. He has already announced that he will climb 14 peaks above 8,000 meters.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2021