Eight Pakistani women conquer 6,400m Khusar Gang Peak

In a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s mountaineering community, a team of eight Pakistani women has successfully reached the summit of the 6,400-meter (20,997-foot) Khusar Gang Peak in the Shigar district of Gilgit-Baltistan, marking one of the country’s most inspiring all-female climbing expeditions.

The historic climb was organized by the Alpine Club of Pakistan, bringing together women mountaineers from Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Islamabad. Their successful ascent is being celebrated as a major step forward for women’s participation in adventure sports and high-altitude mountaineering in Pakistan.

Located in the spectacular Karakoram mountain range, Khusar Gang is considered one of Pakistan’s most popular climbing and trekking destinations. The nearly 21,000-foot peak is known for its demanding terrain and is widely used as a training mountain for climbers preparing for even higher Himalayan and Karakoram expeditions.

The expedition was led by Bibi Afzoon, while renowned mountaineers Ali Muhammad Sadpara, Sadiq Hussain Sadpara, and Ilyas Hashe provided technical leadership throughout the challenging climb. Experienced climber Quaid Shigri was responsible for rope-fixing on the mountain, a critical task that ensured the team’s safety during the ascent.

Congratulating the climbers, Ayaz Shigri, Secretary-General of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, praised the women’s determination, resilience, and professional climbing skills. He described the successful expedition as a significant milestone that would encourage more Pakistani women to pursue mountaineering and adventure sports.

Among the successful climbers was Zeba Batool from Shigar, who shared an emotional message after reaching the summit. Reflecting on the achievement, she said the climb represented far more than conquering a mountain.

“This was not just reaching a peak—it was a victory of courage, patience, relentless hard work, and faith in Allah,” Batool wrote on social media.

She expressed gratitude to the Alpine Club of Pakistan for supporting the expedition and providing an opportunity for Pakistani women to demonstrate their capabilities on the global stage. Batool also dedicated the achievement to her family, teachers, colleagues, supporters, and even those who had challenged her along the way, saying every obstacle had made her stronger.

The successful ascent of Khusar Gang is being hailed as a proud moment for Pakistan, highlighting the growing role of women in high-altitude mountaineering and inspiring a new generation of female adventurers to aim even higher.