Rawalpindi (NNP) To promote mountaineering at the national level, the National Logistics Corporation (NLC), in coordination with Pakistan Army has sponsored two expeditions to scale K2 and Nanga Parbat.
One expedition features an all-women team aiming to scale K2, the world’s second-highest peak. The team includes Anum Uzair from Lahore, Shama Baqir and Bibi Sultana from Shimshal, Afzoom from Gulmit of Hunza, and sisters Siddiqa Hanif and Amina Hanif from Ghanche. The team will hoist Pakistan’s flag on K2. The other expedition involves Abid Baig, a mountaineer from Hunza Valley, who will attempt to summit Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest peak.
The sponsorship of the all-women team underscores the NLC’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for female athletes, who often face significant barriers in pursuing their passions. This initiative reflects the NLC’s dedication to women’s empowerment and gender equality.
The expedition coincides with the 70th anniversary of the first successful ascent of K2. Pakistan Army has provided necessary training to the female mountaineers at the prestigious Sadpara Mountaineering School in Skardu. Renowned Pakistani climber Sirbaz Khan, who has summited 13 of the world’s eight-thousanders, including 11 without supplemental oxygen, will lead the expedition.
Earlier, NLC has provided all requisite resources to mountaineer Abid Baig from Hunza Valley to scale Nanga Parbat without supplemental oxygen or porter assistance. Accompanied by a group of mountaineers from Estonia and Taiwan, Abid Baig will summit Nanga Parbat from Diamer face, a route known for its difficult obstacles. The 270-meter Kinshofar wall situated on this route is regarded as one of the most formidable challenges in mountaineering.
Through its support of these ambitious undertakings, NLC aims to encourage own youth and promote adventure tourism in Pakistan.
