LAHORE: Shehroz Kashif, who at 19 became the youngest Pakistani mountaineer to reach world highest Mount Everest last week was accorded a warm welcome upon arrival in his hometown the other day.

Speaking to the media, Shehroz gave credit for this milestone to his father’s monetary and moral support and his own struggle.

“The total financial sponsorship spent on this mission was provided to me by my father as nobody from the private sector came forward to help me,” Shehroz said. “I am thankful to Pakistani public who always support the talent of mountaineering. I was very much excited to return back to Pakistan to celebrate the achievement with the public.”

Shehroz said at the tender age of 12 he talked of climbing K2 and Mount Everest, which he eventually did seven years later.

Sheroz said the encountered a lot of hardships in his bid to climb the mountains with some could even had cost him his life. But he added when anyone extraordinary will power and confidence could overcome these fears.

Shehroz said he proved his skill not by mouth but with the action as when he made the climb in teenage no one believed him.

Sheroz has climbed Broad Peak (8,047m) at the age of 17.

Earlier, Samina Baig was the youngest woman from Pakistan who reached Everest in the age of 23.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2021