Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani made history on Friday by successfully summiting Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m), the world’s third-highest mountain located in Nepal. With this achievement, Kiani becomes the first Pakistani woman to summit this Himalayan giant and the only Pakistani female to have climbed 12 of the world’s 14 highest peaks — all over 8,000 metres. She now stands just two climbs away from joining the elite global list of only 17 women who have completed all 14 “Eight-Thousanders.”
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Kanchenjunga, known for its perilous terrain and unpredictable weather, marks Kiani’s 12th 8,000m summit. The push began Thursday evening and continued through the night in extreme high-altitude conditions, with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. She reached the summit at 6am local time (5:15am PKT), as confirmed by renowned Nepali climber Mingma G of Imagine Nepal.
Remarkable Climbing Record
Kiani’s mountaineering resume is extraordinary. In under three years, she has climbed 12 of the world’s highest mountains, including Mount Everest, K2, Lhotse, Makalu, Annapurna I, Broad Peak, Nanga Parbat, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Gasherbrum I and II, and now Kanchenjunga. In 2023 alone, she summited seven of these peaks within just six months — a rare feat achieved by only a few climbers worldwide.
Her next targets are Cho Oyu (8,188m) and Shishapangma (8,027m), the remaining two peaks that will complete her quest for the 14 Eight-Thousanders.
Beyond the Summit
Kiani’s achievements extend far beyond records. A former banker and mother of two, she embodies resilience and empowerment, challenging traditional gender norms in Pakistan and across South Asia. “From Pakistan to Kanchenjunga, this summit is not just a personal milestone, it’s a message to every girl and woman: you are stronger than you think,” Kiani said during her descent.
She is also a vocal environmental activist and advocate for sustainable climbing practices. Supported by the BARD Foundation, Kiani has led high-altitude cleanup missions, including on K2, and played a key role in the recovery mission for Pakistani porter Muhammad Hassan Shigri — bringing closure to his grieving family.
Supported by Pakistan and the World
Kiani’s expeditions have garnered national pride and international admiration. Secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Karrar Haidri, congratulated her on the historic achievement, while her team emphasized that her latest summit further cements her place in global mountaineering history.
The BARD Foundation, which supports Kiani’s climbs, hailed her as a symbol of resilience and courage, saying, “Naila represents the very spirit we aim to nurture: the unwavering pursuit of excellence.”
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As Kiani sets her sights on Cho Oyu and Shishapangma, her journey continues to inspire a generation of climbers, especially women, to dream beyond societal limitations. “I’m proud and grateful, but the journey has just started. Pakistan, this is for you,” she declared.