Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday congratulated renowned mountaineer Naila Kiani for successfully summiting Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak at 8,586 meters, located in Nepal.
The Prime Minister hailed her as the first Pakistani woman to conquer the formidable mountain, calling her achievement a source of pride for the nation. “Pakistanis are making their country proud in every field of sports,” he said, adding that accomplishments in extreme sports like mountaineering by Pakistani women serve as a powerful inspiration.
Naila Kiani’s summit of Mount Kanchenjunga marks a major milestone in her mission to scale all 14 of the world’s peaks above 8,000 meters. She is now the only Pakistani woman to have climbed 12 of them, bringing her closer to joining the elite group of fewer than 20 women worldwide to achieve this rare feat.
According to an official statement, her summit push began at 6:30pm on Thursday and lasted through a grueling night marked by heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. Despite these conditions, Kiani reached the top with determination and the unwavering support of her country.
“From Pakistan to Kanchenjunga, this summit is not just a personal milestone, it’s a message to every girl and woman in Pakistan and beyond: you are stronger than you think,” Kiani said during her descent.
She concluded her message with heartfelt words: “I’m proud and grateful, but the journey has just started. Pakistan, this is for you.”
