Mountaineer Naila Kiani has etched her name in history, becoming the first Pakistani woman to conquer 11 8,000m peaks worldwide, as confirmed by the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP). Kiani achieved this remarkable feat by scaling Nepal’s Makalu Peak, the fifth-tallest mountain globally, towering at 8,485 meters.
In a Facebook post, the ACP celebrated Kiani’s accomplishment, hailing her as the fastest Pakistani, regardless of gender, to achieve this milestone in under three years. ACP Secretary Karrar Haidri lauded Kiani’s feat, highlighting her as the first Pakistani woman to summit Makalu, an exceptionally challenging mountain.
Following a grueling climb through the night, Kiani reached the summit of Makalu around 9:35 am Nepal time, marking another historic triumph. Expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support, Kiani acknowledged the assistance of Sherpa Gelgen Dai from Imagine Nepal, whose unwavering support contributed significantly to her success.
Kiani’s mountaineering journey is adorned with numerous achievements. In April last year, she became the first Pakistani woman to conquer Nepal’s Annapurna peak, the world’s 10th-highest mountain. The following month, she scaled Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth, becoming the second Pakistani woman to achieve this feat.
Beyond her mountaineering prowess, Kiani has excelled in various fields. She is an aerospace engineer, having studied at the University of London, and has held a prominent position as an Associate Vice President at HSBC bank. She is also a competitive boxer and a dedicated mother of two toddlers. Despite her busy life, she continues to push boundaries by scaling some of the world’s most challenging peaks.