Connect with us

Latest News

Pakistan climbing season reaches new heights

Published

on

  • Pakistan enjoys bumper climbing season with around 1,400 foreign mountaineers bidding to scale its lofty peaks.
  • There were 57 expeditions planned for 23 Pakistan peaks this season.
  • Secretary of Alpine Club of Pakistan Karrar Haidri says climbers this year include 90 women.

SKARDU: Pakistan is enjoying a bumper climbing season with around 1,400 foreign mountaineers bidding to scale its lofty peaks — including hundreds on the 8,611-metre (28,251-feet) K2, the world’s second-highest.

“It is a record number,” Raja Nasir Ali Khan, tourism minister of the Gilgit-Baltistan region, told AFP.

The country is home to five of the world’s 14 mountains higher than 8,000 metres, and climbing them all is considered the ultimate achievement of any mountaineer.

Karrar Haidri, secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, told AFP there were 57 expeditions planned for 23 Pakistan peaks this season — with 370 climbers having a crack at K2, known as “the savage mountain”.

Besides being far more technically difficult to climb than Everest, weather conditions are notoriously fickle on K2, which has only been scaled by 425 people since 1954.

More than 6,000 people have climbed Everest since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first reached the top in 1953 — some of them multiple times.

Haidri said climbers this year include 90 women — including at least two Pakistanis aiming to become the country’s first to scale K2.

Russian Oxana Morneva is leading a team on the mountain, having failed in her own attempt in 2012 when she was forced back after injuring her knee.

“My rope was broken by falling rocks,” she told AFP.

She said she had no apprehension about returning.

“When we go to the mountain we have to be peaceful inside, and we have to know what we are doing,” she added.

Around 200 climbers will attempt to scale the 8,051-metre Broad Peak, while similar numbers will try Gasherbrum-I (8,080 metres) and Gasherbrum-II (8,035 metres).

A 36-year-old Norwegian climber, Kristin Harila, is also aiming to reach the world’s 14 highest mountain summits in record time.

Having already climbed seven peaks of over 8,000 metres, Harila hopes to match, if not beat, Nepali adventurer Nirmal Purja’s ambitious six months and six days record.

The summer climbing season that started in early June lasts until late August.

Latest News

May 9 tragedy: Anchors reflect on loss and condemn memorial desecration.

Published

on

By

As the nation commemorates the one-year anniversary of the tragic events of May 9, anchors from various media platforms shared their moving views on the significance of the day and the martyrs’ enduring impact.

“The martyrs of any nation are the crown of that nation,” stated one anchor, evoking the great reverence and respect showered upon those who make the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Another person confirmed their sentiment, stating that nations’ development and progress are inextricably linked to the blood poured by their martyrs.

Anchors paid respect to the fallen heroes’ heroism, emphasising the deep sacrifices made by those who gave their lives in service to the nation. “Martyrs have sacrificed everything for the sake of the country,” stated one anchor, their comments echoing the gratitude felt by millions across the nation.

Nonetheless, amid the mournful memory, anchors expressed outrage about the vandalism of the martyrs’ memorials on May 9. “On May 9, some miscreants burned the memorials of their martyrs to fulfil the nefarious purposes of unknown people,” shouted one anchor, criticising the brazen act of disrespect.

As anchors reflected on the nefarious goal behind the attack on the country’s installations, the question of motive loomed big. “Who did we please by attacking the country’s installations, and what kind of protest was it?” asked one anchor, emphasising the importance of accountability and justice.

Anchors emphasised the importance of quick and decisive action, calling for all those engaged in the desecration to face justice. “All those involved in such mischief must be brought into the Kfir role,” said an anchor, unwavering in the face of such heinous deeds.

Amid the condemnation, anchors underlined the great debt owed to the martyrs who gave their lives for Pakistan. “Martyrs have sacrificed their lives for this land of Pakistan, which is their favour to us,” acknowledged one anchor, their comments a sad reminder of the debt owed to those who have given everything for their country.

As the country reflects on the events of May 9, anchors emphasise the necessity of remembering and commemorating the martyrs’ sacrifices. “Nations that forget their benefactors are obliterated by the attributes of history,” warned one anchor, emphasising the timeless need to preserve the memory and legacy of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Anchors were together in condemning anyone who would strive to undermine the nation’s unity and strength, taking a firm position against any danger to national integrity.

“Anyone who would assault our national integrity under the pretence of protest is in no way forgivable,” said one anchor, their comments a clear call to unity and vigilance in the face of adversity.”

Finally, as the nation honours and pays tribute to the May 9 martyrs, anchors emphasise their unshakeable commitment to honouring their memory and upholding the principles for which they fought so heroically. “To the extent that army men sacrifice for us, they have no personal gain,” declared one anchor, capturing the attitude of selflessness and sacrifice that marks Pakistan’s martyrs’ legacy.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Families of army martyrs want justice for the May 9 mayhem.

Published

on

By

As the nation commemorates the sombre anniversary of the May 9 tragedy, the families of the dead martyrs continue to deal with tremendous loss and a sense of injustice.

One year after the heartbreaking events, their anguish is apparent, and their tears attest to the lasting pain of loss.

The relatives of the martyrs expressed their feelings in emotional professions of love and remembrance, their voices filled with emotion. “I am proud that Allah chose my son for martyrdom,” remarked the mother of Captain Taha Hashmi Shaheed, echoing her son’s steadfast dedication and sacrifice.

However, despite their pride, worries about the legacy of those who gave their life for their country persist. “Did the sacrifices of these martyrs go in vain?” said another weeping mother, her pain echoing that of countless others who have lost loved ones.

For the families, the destruction of the memorials created in memory of the dead soldiers on May 9 was an inexcusable act of contempt. “The desecration of the martyrs’ memorials on May 9 was intolerable,” lamented Captain Mohammad Aqib Javed Shaheed’s sister, her grief obvious in her words.

Calling for justice, the families encouraged the government to take immediate and decisive action against those guilty for the tragic events of May 9. “I appeal to the government to take strict action against those responsible for May 9,” Captain Mohammad Aqib Javed Shaheed’s sister pleaded, echoing many others’ feelings.

The families felt great betrayal, and their faith was challenged by the conduct of individuals who desecrated the memory of their slain heroes. “The tragedy that happened on May 9 is highly condemnable,” said Naik Islam Kashif Zuberi Shaheed’s sister, her words tinged with disbelief and outrage.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Another IHC court orders contempt action against nasty campaign.

Published

on

By

Another letter has emerged from the Islamabad High Court, highlighting a rising trend of aggressive campaigns against the court.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani has also written to the IHC chief justice, requesting him to file contempt of court proceedings against individuals involved in the alleged smear campaign.

This event follows a similar letter delivered yesterday by Justice Babar Sattar to the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court, suggesting a concerted effort among judges to address what they see as an attack on the judiciary’s integrity and authority.

According to officials in the judiciary, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani emphasised the importance of taking action against anyone guilty for spreading misinformation or engaging in activities that are considered contemptuous of the court.

In response to Justice Sattar’s letter, the Supreme Court issued a significant ruling on Monday regarding the judge’s social media campaign. The court has announced that contempt proceedings will be initiated in response to the alleged hostile campaign against Justice Sattar.

According to reports, Justice Babar Sattar wrote a letter to IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq about a social media campaign against him. The court then decided to treat the letter as a contempt of court action.

Continue Reading

Trending