Sirbaz Khan and Naila Kiani have made history by ascending Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth-highest peak, located in Tibet, China. This remarkable achievement not only marks their exceptional climbing prowess but also elevates Pakistan’s presence in the world of mountaineering.
On Monday, the duo embarked on an awe-inspiring journey to conquer Cho Oyu, standing at a towering 8,188 meters (26,863 feet) above sea level. Their ascent took them over 28 grueling hours, characterized by a marathon alpine-style climb, and notably, they achieved this remarkable feat without the use of supplementary oxygen.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan, the country’s official mountaineering organization, confirmed this outstanding accomplishment in a statement. Alongside Sirbaz Khan’s groundbreaking achievement, Naila Kiani carved her name in history as the first Pakistani woman climber to successfully summit ten peaks above 8,000 meters.
Karrar Haidri, Secretary General of the Alpine Club, expressed pride in Khan’s achievements and revealed that only one mountain, Shishapangma, stands between him and his dream of becoming the first Pakistani to scale all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters. Shishapangma is the 14th highest mountain globally, rising to a formidable 8,027 meters (26,335 feet) above sea level.
Sirbaz Khan’s journey into mountaineering commenced in 2016, and since then, he has consistently showcased his exceptional skill and determination. In 2019, he etched his name in history by becoming the first Pakistani to summit Mount Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest mountain, without supplemental oxygen.
His list of achievements includes conquering Nanga Parbat in 2017, K2 in 2018, and Broad Peak in 2019, all above the 8,000-meter mark. Remarkably, in 2022, Khan scaled Mount Anapurna, Gasherbrum II, and the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest, which stands at a towering 8,848 meters (29,029 feet).
Naila Kiani, a Dubai-based Pakistani banker and a mother of two, gained recognition not only for her mountaineering accomplishments but also for her unique wedding photoshoot at the K2 base camp in 2018, which became a viral sensation on social media.
Khan’s and Kiani’s accomplishments serve as an inspiration to aspiring mountaineers and a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit. Pakistan’s mountaineering community celebrates their extraordinary achievements and looks forward to more historic ascents in the future.
