Gilgit - A prestigious ceremony was recently held at the Office of the Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan to honor the remarkable achievements of Pakistan’s national heroes and legendary mountaineers—Sirbaz Khan, Wajidullah Nagri, and Sajid Ali Sadpara—who have successfully summited some of the world’s highest peaks. The event was organized by the Tourism and Finance Departments of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The ceremony was graced by Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, Mr. Abrar Ahmed Mirza, Secretary Tourism Mr. Zamir Abbas, Secretary Finance Mr. Aziz Ahmed Jamali, Secretary Mr. Najeeb Alam, Director Tourism and Culture Mr. Iqbal Hussain, and other senior officials.
In his address, Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza praised the climbers for achieving such extraordinary feats through their own efforts, bringing pride and honor to the nation. He assured the mountaineers of the government’s full support and emphasized that Pakistan’s youth possess immense potential in the field of mountaineering.
He further highlighted that many porters who assist foreign climbers on expeditions are, in fact, skilled mountaineers themselves but are not recognized due to a lack of financial support. To address this, the Chief Secretary instructed the Secretary Tourism to expedite the registration of a Mountaineers’ Association, which will enable structured training and support for aspiring climbers.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Tourism Mr. Zamir Abbas stated that the event aimed to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of these national heroes. He noted that the mountaineers are undertaking challenging missions through personal dedication, and the government is committed to supporting them so that more youth can be inspired to join this noble profession. He added that these individuals represent Pakistan and Gilgit-Baltistan on international platforms.
Sirbaz Khan, the first Pakistani to summit an 8,000-meter peak without supplemental oxygen, expressed his gratitude to the Chief Secretary, Secretary Tourism, and Secretary Finance for their recognition and support. He stressed that government encouragement would attract more young climbers from Gilgit-Baltistan to pursue mountaineering.
Wajidullah Nagri, who recently summited Mount Everest—the highest peak in the world—also extended his thanks to the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. In his message, he urged tourists visiting the region to respect and preserve the natural environment.
At the conclusion of the event, the Chief Secretary presented souvenirs and certificates of appreciation to the mountaineers on behalf of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan.
14 June, 2025
05:55:52 AM
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