Qatari Climber Sheikha Asma
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting adventure tourism and supporting international mountaineers, as he formally appointed renowned Qatari climber Sheikha Asma Al Thani as the country’s brand ambassador for mountains and tourism.
The announcement was made during a meeting between the Prime Minister and Sheikha Asma in Islamabad, where the two discussed the growing potential of tourism and youth engagement between Pakistan and Qatar.
Congratulating Sheikha Asma on her recent successful summit of Nanga Parbat, Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged her historic achievement as the first woman from the Gulf region and Qatar to conquer the formidable peak.
He praised her for breaking barriers in a male-dominated field and promoting women’s empowerment through adventure sports. He described her feat as not only a personal milestone but also a representation of the courage, determination, and resilience shared by the people of Pakistan and Qatar.
The Prime Minister highlighted that Pakistan is home to some of the highest and most challenging mountains in the world, including five of the 14 peaks above 8,000 meters—such as K2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, and Gasherbrum I and II.
These peaks attract climbers and adventure seekers from across the globe, making Pakistan a key destination for high-altitude mountaineering. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to facilitating international climbers by improving safety measures, infrastructure, and hospitality services in the mountainous regions.
Sheikha Asma, in her remarks, expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the people of Pakistan for the warm welcome and support she received throughout her expeditions.
She fondly recalled her experiences climbing both Nanga Parbat and K2, emphasizing the professionalism and courage of the local porters and guides who were instrumental in her success. Describing K2 as the most “complete” mountain in terms of beauty and difficulty, she said it remains unmatched among the world’s high-altitude peaks.
She also praised Pakistan’s rich natural beauty and immense potential in the adventure tourism sector, pledging to play an active role in promoting the country as a top destination for climbers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Sheikha Asma’s appointment is seen as a strategic step toward enhancing Pakistan’s image on the global tourism map and fostering stronger cultural and sports ties between Pakistan and Qatar.
The meeting concluded with the Prime Minister expressing a strong desire to deepen bilateral cooperation in adventure tourism, youth programs, and sports development.
He emphasized that Sheikha Asma’s ambassadorial role would help bridge people-to-people ties and attract global attention to Pakistan’s majestic mountain ranges and welcoming spirit.
