Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met Qatari royal Sheikh Asma Al Thani and lauded her for becoming the first woman in the Gulf successfully summit Pakistan’s Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest mountain, located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, also known as the Gila Mountain.
Felicitating Asma Al Thani on her achievement, the PM appreciated her for her remarkable feat, applauded her determination, and commended her for being a source of inspiration for many young women and girls across the world. He hailed her for promoting gender empowerment through adventure and high-altitude sports.
Shehbaz Sharif had earlier appointed the female mountaineer as the country’s brand ambassador for Pakistan’s mountaineering tourism, for showcasing Pakistan’s national beauty to the world. The Premier highlighted Pakistan’s immense pride in being home to five of the world’s 14 highest peaks, making it a premier destination for mountaineers and adventure seekers from across the globe.
Shehbaz Sharif thanked Qatari Royals for playing a valuable role in bringing international attention to their challenges and seeing it grander. The PM acknowledged the vital contributions of Pakistan’s high-altitude porters and guides who assist climbers from around the world in their expeditions.
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He noted that their skill and dedication are integral to such extraordinary accomplishments. Last week, Shekha Asma, along with seven other international climbers, had summited Naga Parbat. In a post on X, the premier facilitated Shekha Asma on the achievement. In a post on Instagram, Shekha Asma described the relentless challenges she faced on her route to the summit and the emotional toll of the ascent.
“My ninth 8000er and one of the toughest climbs I’ve faced. This mountain tested me in ways I didn’t expect, from black ice beneath my feet to rockfall every few seconds. A constant reminder of how fragile life truly is,” she wrote.
“But even in that danger, there was growth. There was surrender and there was strength I didn’t know I still had. I climb not just to reach summits but to return to what matters, to strip away the noise and reconnect with myself,” she added.
“This mountain will stay with me forever,” she said in a post on X.