ISLAMABAD, March 2: Nazir Sabir, the only Pakistani conqueror of Mount Everest, has been given honorary membership of the American Alpine Club (AAC) for his “outstanding achievements in Himalayan climbing and services in the field of environmental protection”.

Nazir is one of a few selected climbers outside America to receive the honour. He was invited to deliver a lecture at the annual dinner of the AAC in Golden, a mountain outpost, in Colorado.

Established 106 years ago, AAC is one of the leading mountaineering clubs in the world with great achievements all over the world.

It may be mentioned that the British Alpine Club, the world’s oldest and pioneering organisation in Alpinism, gave the same honour to Nazir in 1998.

Born in Raminj village in the remote Chipursan Valley of Gojal, northern Hunza, Nazir Sabir started his climbing career with a Japanese expedition to the 7,284 metre high Passu peak in Gojal in 1974. In 1975 he attempted Nanga Parbat (8,125m) with a German expedition.

Nazir Sabir became the only Pakistani to climb Mountain Everest (8,850m), on May 17, 2000. He has also climbed K2 (8,616m), the second highest in the world from a new route, West Face.

Nazir Sabir lost his elder brother, Inayat Shah, who was buried under an ice avalanche while attempting Diran peak in Nagar with an army expedition in 1980.

He was elected member of the Northern Area Legislative Council in 1994. He defeated the Mir of Hunza, Ghazanfar Ali Khan. The late prime minister Benazir Bhutto appointed him adviser for education and tourism.