ISLAMABAD — Samina Baig has become the first Pakistani woman mountaineer to climb K2.
K2, which is 8,611 metres above sea level, is the second highest mountain in the world after Mount Everest and is located in the Karakoram Range in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan.
In 2013, Samina had climbed the world’s highest Mount Everest at the age of 21 and became the first Pakistani woman achieve this milestone.
Samina’s partner Naila Kiani was on her way to the third camp when Samina completed her mission. Naila, a mountaineer, athlete and boxer, too reached the top less than three hours after Samina and became the second Pakistani woman to climb K2.
Both Samina and Naila had started their mission on June 25 this year.
A statement issued by Samina’s team on ground says, “We are extremely proud to announce that Samina Baig, with her strong Pakistani team, successfully summited the world’s most fascinating and dangerous mountain, known as Savage Mountain, the world’s second and Pakistan’s tallest mountain, K2, at 8611 metres this morning at 7:42am.”
The statement adds, “Grateful and blessed that K2 allowed her to stand atop this incredible mountain.”
Samina is from the remote village of Gilgit Valley, Shimshal. Soon after she completed her mission, the news of her achievement went viral on the mainstream and social media in Pakistan and she received a huge support from people, the government of Pakistan and various organisations working in the country.
Pride of Pakistan💫
Congratulations Samina Baig, the first Pakistani woman to summit K2🏔️
She is also the first Pakistani woman to summit the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, in 2013 at the age of 21.#SaminaBaig pic.twitter.com/bmWwULMC1w
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 22, 2022
Take a bow! 🙌🏽 #SaminaBaig https://t.co/YumFCYE52t
— Quratulain Balouch (@Quratulainb) July 23, 2022
Congratulations Pakistan!!!! 🇵🇰♥️🇵🇰♥️#SaminaBaig has reached the summit of K2, Pakistan's highest peak a while ago at 7:42 am!!! 🏔️💪 This is for the first team that a #Pakistani woman has stood atop the world's second highest peak! ♥️🇵🇰
Prayers for their safe return Inshallah! pic.twitter.com/XMezO5TA6z
— The Karakoram Club (@KarakoramClub) July 22, 2022
Many congratulations to #SaminaBaig for being the first woman in Pakistan to summit K2! 🎉🎉🎉
As a renowned mountaineer, she is an inspiration for many young women across the 🌏 #UNDPinPakistan is proud to have her as our previous Goodwill Ambassador!
📷 Samina Baig pic.twitter.com/cmKVjNzhon
— UNDP Pakistan (@UNDP_Pakistan) July 22, 2022
Congratulations 🇵🇰
📢 #SaminaBaig becomes the 1️⃣st Pakistani Woman to Summit #K2 this morning❗🏔️#K2022
We are proud of you ✨ pic.twitter.com/j3K7xrwUNp
— Public Diplomacy Pakistan (@PkPublicDiplo) July 22, 2022
Congratulations to #SaminaBaig and #NailaKiani, the first two #Pakistani women to successfully summit the world’s second highest peak, K2. A momentous day and achievement for Pakistani women! pic.twitter.com/JvrUHAdGIP
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) July 22, 2022
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Samina on her achievement.
Taking to Twitter, Sharif wrote, “I congratulate the first Pakistani woman Samina and her family on climbing the second highest summit of K2. Samina has emerged as a symbol of determination and bravery for Pakistani women.”
دنیا کی دوسری بلند ترین چوٹی 'کے 2' سر کرنے والی پہلی پاکستانی خاتون کوہ پیما ثمینہ بیگ اور ان کے اہل خانہ کو کامیابی پر مبارک پیش کرتا ہوں۔ ثمینہ بیگ پاکستانی خواتین کے عزم و ہمت اور بہادری کی علامت بن کر ابھری ہیں۔
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 22, 2022
Thirty-one years old Samina has climbed seven peaks other than Mount Everest and K2. Her brother Ali Baig too is a mountaineer.