Key points
- You are stronger than you think: Kiani
- 17 women worldwide have climbed all 14 peaks
- Kiani is a banker and mother of two
GILGIT: Renowned Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani on Friday became the first Pakistani woman to summit 12 of the world’s 14 eight-thousanders by successfully scaling 8,556-metre-high peak Kangchenjunga — the world’s third-highest mountain.
Her media coordinator Madeeha Syed confirmed the summit saying “The summit push began at approximately 6:30 p.m. PST on Thursday and continued through the night in severe high-altitude conditions, including intense snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. Despite the challenges, Kiani safely reached the summit, driven by unshakable determination and the support of a nation behind her.”
With only Shishapangma and Dhaulagiri remaining, Kiani is now closer than ever to completing the remarkable feat of climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters.
“Monumental milestone”
The patron, president, and members of the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) congratulated Kiani on this remarkable achievement.
“This is far more than just a climb—it is a monumental milestone in the history of Pakistani mountaineering and a moment of immense national pride. With just two peaks left, Naila stands on the threshold of joining a global elite of only 17 women to have conquered all 14 eight-thousanders,” said ACP Secretary Karrar Haidri in his congratulatory message.
“Story of grit and resilience”
He said from the towering heights of Everest and K2 to the perilous slopes of Annapurna and Lhotse, her journey tells a powerful story of grit, resilience, and an unshakable will.
“This is not just a personal achievement—it is a symbol of empowerment for women in sports, a beacon of hope and inspiration for Pakistan, and a proud moment for every mountaineering enthusiast,” he added.
“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 in a statement during her descent. “I’m proud and grateful but the journey has just started. Pakistan, this is for you,” she added.
Banker by profession
A Dubai-based banker by profession and the mother of two young daughters, aged three and four, Kiani continues to break barriers in high-altitude mountaineering. In May 2024, Kiani successfully summited Makalu (8,485m), the world’s fifth-highest mountain located in Nepal.
In August 2024, she led a high-risk rescue operation at K2’s notorious Bottleneck to retrieve the body of fellow climber Muhammad Hassan Shigri from an altitude of 8,200 meters — an effort widely hailed for raising the standard of rescue missions at extreme altitudes.
Clean-up campaign at K2
Just a month prior, she spearheaded a clean-up campaign at K2, removing approximately 1.7 tons of waste from 16 high-altitude sites, including K2 and Broad Peak.
In recognition of her extraordinary achievements, Kiani was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civilian honour, last year. She remains the only Pakistani sportswoman to have received this prestigious award to date.
“Each mountain presents its own set of challenges, but the drive to represent Pakistan on these global heights keeps me going,” Kiani said prior to her Kangchenjunga ascent.
Describing the mountain’s difficulty, she noted, “Kanchenjunga is known for its treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather. But with determination and the support of my family, team, and followers, I remained hopeful for a successful summit.”
