GILGIT: Pakistani mountaineer Sirbaz Khan has received a warm and enthusiastic welcome upon his return to Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday, following his remarkable achievement of becoming the first Pakistani to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, according to local media.
Sirbaz made history on October 4 by reaching the summit of Shishapangma (8,027 meters) in Tibet, completing his extraordinary quest to climb all 14 mountains exceeding 8,000 meters. This milestone places Sirbaz Khan worldwide among an elite group of climbers.
At 37 years old, Sirbaz has climbed 12 of these peaks without supplementary oxygen, with only Annapurna and Kanchenjunga remaining for him to complete all 14 without oxygen assistance. His return to Gilgit-Baltistan was marked by an outpouring of support from an enthusiastic crowd, including members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, family, friends, and many community members. Notably absent were any government officials.
Sirbaz was taken in a celebratory rally to his home in Hunza Valley, where he was greeted by eager locals, including men, women, and children, adorned with flower garlands. The community showcased their pride through a special ceremony in Hunza, where Sirbaz participated in cultural dances, emphasizing his connection to his roots.
In an emotional speech at the event, Sirbaz expressed his gratitude to the community for their unwavering support since his first ascent of Nanga Parbat. He began his journey in 2016 by summiting Nanga Parbat, making history as the first mountaineer to conquer the peak during autumn.
Reflecting on his journey, he said, “Alhamdulillah, after years of relentless effort, my Mission 14 has been completed. This is a dream come true not just for me, but for legendary climbers like Amir Mehdi, Nazir Sabir, Ashraf Aman, Samina Baig, Abdul Joshi, and many others whose dreams I have carried with me.”
