President, PM appreciate Naila Kiani for scaling world’s third highest Kangchenjunga peak 

Islamabad (Web Desk): President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have congratulated mountaineer Naila Kiani on becoming first Pakistani woman to summit Kanchenjunga Mountain.

In their separate statements, the president and the premier appreciated mountaineer Naila Kiani for scaling the world’s third highest peak.

In a statement, President Zardari on Saturday congratulated Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani on becoming the first Pakistani woman to summit Kangchenjunga peak.

The president lauded Naila Kiani for scaling the world’s third highest peak and extended best wishes for her future.

“I commend her for bringing laurels to Pakistan in the field of mountaineering,” he added.

President Zardari further said that Pakistani women were talented and serving in various fields.

It was encouraging to witness women’s achievements in the field of mountaineering, he added.

PM Shehbaz Sharif also felicitated Naila Kiani on becoming first Pakistani woman to summit Kanchenjunga Mountain.

He further said that setting records in challenging sports like mountaineering by Pakistani woman is a source of strength.

“Pakistanis are making their country proud in every field of sports,” the premier said.

Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani has reached the summit of Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m), becoming the first Pakistani woman to scale 12 of the world’s 14 highest peaks over 8,000 metres, her team said on Friday.

Kiani, who began her final ascent evening, braved harsh conditions including sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall to complete the climb overnight. Her success brings her closer to joining an elite group of fewer than 20 women globally to have climbed all 14 “eight-thousanders.”

“This summit is not just a personal milestone,” Kiani said in a statement during her descent. “It’s a message to every girl and woman in Pakistan and beyond: you are stronger than you think.”

An aerospace engineer, banker, competitive boxer, mother of two, and AI startup co-founder, Kiani has emerged as one of Pakistan’s most prominent sportswomen. She previously received the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civilian honour, and has also led high-altitude environmental cleanups and humanitarian missions.

Kiani’s accomplishment adds momentum to her quest to become the first Pakistani to summit all 14 of the world’s tallest mountains. Her 12 summited peaks to date are:

Everest, K2, Broad Peak, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, Annapurna, Lhotse, Manaslu, Makalu, Cho Oyu, and now Kanchenjunga. Only two peaks – Shishapangma and Dhaulagiri remain.