A monumental achievement was realized as two Pakistani women, Naila Kiani and Samina Baig, accomplished an extraordinary feat by becoming the first Pakistani women to conquer Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest peak. Overcoming treacherous terrain, inclement weather, and numerous challenges, they reached the summit on Sunday, showcasing their unwavering determination.
Naila Kiani, a Pakistani banker residing in Dubai, gained widespread recognition after her viral wedding photoshoot at the K2 Basecamp in 2018. She has previously scaled Gasherbrum-II (8,035m) in 2021 and triumphantly reached the summits of Gasherbrum-I (8,068m), K2, and Annapurna. Earlier this year, she became the second Pakistani woman to conquer Mount Everest.
Samina Baig, hailing from the remote village of Shimshal, made history in 2014 as the first Pakistani woman to summit Mount Everest. In 2022, she accomplished another remarkable feat by conquering K2, finishing just three hours ahead of Naila Kiani. Baig holds the distinction of being the first Pakistani, regardless of gender, to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents. She also achieved notable ascents, including the previously unclimbed Chashkin Sar peak (above 6,000 meters), later named ‘Samina Peak,’ and an unexplored peak called ‘Koh-i-Brobar’ or ‘Mount Equality’ in 2011.
Accompanied by a team of Pakistani mountaineers, including Rizwan Dad, Eid Muhammad, Ahmed Baig, Waqar Ali, Saeed Karim, Liaqat, Wajid Nagri, and Shah Daulat, Naila Kiani and Samina Baig successfully reached the summit of Nanga Parbat. Additionally, ten members of the expedition team Imagine Nepal, led by Summit Karakoram Managing Director Sakhawat Hussain, along with international climbers Chris Warner from the United States and three Nepalese Sherpas, also conquered the mountain. Notably, a total of 28 mountaineers from around the world achieved the Nanga Parbat summit on the same day, marking the largest single-day ascent of the mountain.