GILGIT: Pakistani climbers Naila Kiani and Sirbaz Khan successfuly completed the ascent of Manaslu peak (8,163 metres) in Nepal on Thursday.

The two climbers had commenced their summit attempt on Wednesday from camp 3.

As reported by Imagine Nepal, with Manslu Summit, Ms Kiani has achieved the milestone of becoming the first Paki­stani woman to conquer nine out of the 14 highest mountains in the world.

She reached the summit at 7:56am, accompanied by experienced Dawa Jangbu Sherpa. She now has eyes set on her upcoming summit objectives, which include Mt Cho Oyu and Shishapangma in October.

President Arif Alvi congratulated Ms Kiani on the achievement.

“We’re proud of this woman who is strong and brave,” said Karrar Haidri, Alpine Club of Pakistan secretary.

After the summit, the climber spoke to the media and said: “This wonderful journey I’m currently on has given me the chance to realise my lifelong dream. I intend to make the most of this opportunity to inspire and encourage other girls like me who might be looking for someone to guide them as they begin writing their own stories of success and I am thankful to the BARD Foundation for its constant support.”

Ms Kiani has already scaled Broad Peak (8,047m), Annapurna (8,091m), K2 (8,611m), Lhotse (8,516m), Gashe­rbrum I (8,068m), Gashe­rbrum II (8,035m), Nanga Parbat (8,125m) and Mount Everest (8,849m).

Mr Khan reached the summit at 6:26am without supplementary oxygen, according to his summit manager Saad Munawar.

This ascent was part of his adaptation process and preparations for the final two summits in his ‘Mission Summit 14 project’.

He will embark on his next climbing expeditions in Tibet, where he plans to conquer Cho Oyu and Shishapangma.

Our sports reporter in Lahore also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, September 22th, 2023