Pakistan’s first-ever all-woman expedition summits 5,400-metre Bari La peak

CHILAS: Pakistan’s first-ever all-women mountaineering expedition has successfully summited the 5,400-metre-high Bari La peak in Gilgit-Baltistan.

After summiting the peak, all the climbers chanted slogans of “Nara e Takbeer – Allah Hu Akbar” and “Pakistan Zindabad.”

The 10-member team included Bibi Afzon (team leader) and Zeeba Batool from Gilgit-Baltistan, Bismah Hasan and Iqra Jillani from Punjab, Madeeha Syed from Sindh, Mona Khan from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Marya Bangash from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahreen Khan and Amina Shabbir from Islamabad, and Laraib Batool from Balochistan.

According to a statement issued by the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the expedition marked a historic milestone in the country’s mountaineering history. “With equal representation from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, these women came together not just to climb, but to break barriers,” the club said.

Before attempting the summit, the climbers underwent basic mountaineering training at the Sadpara Mountaineering Training School under the guidance of renowned climbers Sajid Sadpara and Ashraf Sadpara.

“From the rugged grounds of Bari La Basecamp, the team pushed higher — and on September 10, they proudly stood on the summit of Bari La. Their success is not just a climb, it is a statement — that Pakistan’s daughters can rise to any peak,” the statement read.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the team on their achievement and invited them to the PM House to honour their courage and determination.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also felicitated the climbers, praising their resolve and saying the team had proven that “courage and determination stand taller than any peak.”

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The Alpine Club said this historic feat marks just the beginning, adding that in the years ahead, “the mountains of Pakistan will echo with the footsteps of women who dare to dream.”

Summitted Bari La Peak 5400M with brave women’s of Pakistan an expidition organised by Alpine club of Pakistan participants includ from all provinces of Pakistan a good step for promoting adventure tourism in Pakistan and happy to lead this expedition to the top#shemoveamountain pic.twitter.com/5F0mroqs47

— Sajid Ali Sadpara (@sajid_sadpara) September 11, 2025