ALTHOUGH only bad news seems to emanate from Pakistan, sometimes we also have a cause to celebrate. One of these presented itself on Thursday when a Slovenian mountain climber, Dejan Maskovics, was rescued from the saddle between Mustagh Tower and the 6,550-metre 'sharp peak' where he had been trapped for three days. It is unfortunate that Maskovics' partner, Pavle Kozjak, lost his life at the same spot. Maskovics' successful rescue was good news not only for the community of mountain climbers but also for Pakistan as this was achieved through a combined effort. Army aviation helicopters flew the rescue team led by two Slovenian climbers who had flown in from Slovenia, to the base camp of the mountain from Skardu. The rescue operation was hampered by the bad weather, but its successful conclusion clearly established how collective efforts pay off in such situations.

Possessing the picturesque icy peaks of the Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountains in the north, Pakistan attracts mountain climbers from all over the world. They all vie to earn a place in the pantheon of mountain climbing. The region has an estimated 108 peaks above 7,000 metres high that are covered with snow and glaciers. Five of the mountains in Pakistan are over 8,000 metres. Since Pakistan has been endowed with some of the highest peaks in the world, teams of mountain climbers frequent the country. However, as is the case any where in the world, mountain climbing carries its own hazards, and tragedies are not unknown. Earlier in August, 11 lost their lives in an accident on the K2, just before the Slovenians attempted to climb the 7,273-metre Mustagh Tower peak and met with tragedy. But knowing the spirit of mountain climbers this will not deter them from undertaking their journey to Pakistan in search of adventure. But discretion demands due precautions which are never out of place.