Naila Kiani Aims to Conquer All 14 Peaks Over 8,000 Meters
ISLAMABAD: Naila Kiani, Pakistan’s first female mountaineer to conquer five 8-thousands (peaks over 8,000m), is now aiming to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks.
Formerly a banker in Dubai, this ambitious climber has etched her name into the annals of the country’s mountaineering history through an extraordinary achievement. With eight successful climbs to her credit so far, she stands as the sole Pakistani woman to achieve this feat.
Naila, the mother of two children, recently achieved a milestone by scaling Nanga Parbat and Broad Peak, completing the conquest of all five highest peaks in Pakistani territory. Her journey began just two years ago. When she became the first Pakistani woman to climb up the 8,035m tall Gasherbrum II, the 13th highest mountain globally. What initially began as an experiment transformed into her passion, propelling her forward.
despite challenges, Naila Kiani continues her journey
Despite the challenges she encountered, Naila’s belief in attaining prevailed. Her determination led her to scale K2, Gasherbrum I, Annapurna, Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nanga Parbat, and Broad Peak since her Gasherbrum II climb in 2021. Out of her eight climbs, she was the first Pakistani woman in the top six, solidifying her status as the country’s most successful female mountaineer.
Naila Kiani finds strength in the thoughts of her daughters while navigating the difficulties of her mountaineering pursuits. Balancing her ambitions with being a mother to two young children aged two and four is challenging, but her daughters serve as a wellspring of energy during challenging ascents.
She said that support from the public sector for mountaineers in Pakistan is lacking and underscores the need for better infrastructure and enhanced rescue facilities in the country’s mountains. Her aspirations extend to setting an example for her daughters and disciplining them with the belief that nothing is unattainable.
For aspiring female mountaineers, Naila’s advice is to maintain unwavering goals and strive for higher targets. She emphasizes that no obstacle is insurmountable and encourages them to persevere relentlessly.
