SKARDU; Pakistan has made history with its first all-women mountaineering expedition successfully scaling the 5,400-metre Bari La peak in Gilgit-Baltistan, a milestone hailed as both a sporting achievement and a breakthrough in women’s representation in adventure sports.
The 10-member team included climbers from across the country, ensuring representation from every province, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The climbers were: Bibi Afzon and Zeeba Batool from GB, Bismah Hasan and Iqra Jillani from Punjab, Madeeha Syed from Sindh, Mona Khan from AJK, Marya Bangash from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahreen Khan and Amina Shabbir from Islamabad, and Laraib Batool from Balochistan.
According to Alpine Club of Pakistan Vice President Karrar Haidri, the expedition “wrote history in the high mountains of Pakistan.” Organised and sponsored by the Alpine Club, the team summited Bari La on Wednesday after completing preparatory training at the Sadpara Mountaineering Training School under the guidance of veteran climbers Sajid and Ashraf Sadpara. Mountain guides Sajid, Ashraf, Fida Ali and Shareef Sadpara accompanied the expedition.
Haidri noted that the climb was more than a sporting challenge. “These courageous women came together not just to scale a mountain but to break barriers, proving that Pakistan’s daughters can reach any peak,” he said. He added that their success was a testament to resilience, determination, and the untapped potential of women in Pakistan’s adventure sports.
Some members brought prior experience. Madeeha Syed, an award-winning documentary filmmaker who earlier summited Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895m), said, “Most people stop at the lower summit. Thanks to Sajid Sadpara, who fixed ropes, our group reached the true 5,400-metre summit of Bari La.” However, Madeeha had to turn back at the 5,000-metre point due to illness.
For six climbers, this was their first peak. Bibi Afzon, also known as Zoni from Hunza, had previously joined a K2 women’s expedition. Zeeba from Shigar is a rock-climbing instructor, while Bismah works as a mountain and tour guide. Mona, a journalist from AJK, described the experience as “a dream come true,” recalling her nervousness as she pushed past 4,800 metres for the first time. “Standing on the summit, I could hardly believe I had conquered such a rocky and icy climb,” she said.
The team returned to Skardu on Thursday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the climbers, inviting them to the Prime Minister’s House to honour their courage.
“In the years to come, the mighty mountains of Pakistan will echo with the footsteps of women who dare to dream,” the Alpine Club statement concluded.
