ISLAMABAD: Pakistani mountaineer Asma Mushtaq died during her descent from Spantik Peak after successfully reaching its 7,027-metre summit, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said on Thursday.
Mushtaq was in good health when she reached the summit of Spantik in the Karakoram range, according to the ACP. However, while descending at an altitude of around 6,400 metres, she suffered a severe high-altitude medical emergency and died despite immediate efforts by her mountain guides to save her.
The ACP expressed deep grief over her death, with its president, Major General (retd) Irfan Arshad Khan, and members of the club extending condolences to her family, friends and the wider mountaineering community.
Pakistani mountaineer Dr Asma Mushtaq has died while descending Spantik (7,027 m), also known as Golden Peak, in Pakistan’s Karakoram on 20 August.
According to a statement from Karakoram Calling, Asma successfully reached the summit in good health alongside her mountain guide,… pic.twitter.com/X5tfMTfLCf
— Everest Today (@EverestToday) August 20, 2026
The club also praised the mountain guides who remained with Mushtaq and made every possible effort to assist her in extremely difficult and dangerous conditions.
“The President and entire team of ACP extend their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and loved ones of Mrs Asma Mushtaq. We stand with the family and the entire mountaineering community during this difficult time,” ACP Senior Vice President Karrar Haidri said.
Another loss for mountaineering community
Mushtaq’s death comes just weeks after a major tragedy on Broad Peak, where renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja and nine other members of an international expedition died after being swept away by an avalanche on July 30.
The Broad Peak tragedy claimed the lives of climbers from several countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, China, Oman and the United States, highlighting once again the extreme risks faced by mountaineers attempting some of the world’s highest and most challenging peaks.
Also Read: Mountaineer Nirmal Purja, Nine Others Die in Broad Peak Avalanche in Pakistan
Spantik, also known as Golden Peak, is one of Pakistan’s prominent climbing destinations in the Karakoram and attracts mountaineers from around the world. Mushtaq’s successful summit before the fatal incident was followed by tragedy during the descent, when conditions at high altitude proved fatal.
Pakistan is home to some of the world’s highest and most challenging mountains, including K2, the second-highest peak on Earth, as well as Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II.
The country’s spectacular Karakoram, Himalaya and Hindu Kush ranges draw mountaineers and adventure enthusiasts from around the world, while their extreme terrain and rapidly changing weather make climbing expeditions highly demanding.
