On September 10, 2025, Pakistan’s first all-women mountaineering expedition summited the 5,400-meter Bari La Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan. This marked a historic achievement. Organised by the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the 10-member team showcased resilience and broke gender barriers in adventure sports. This was announced by Vice President Karrar Haidri.
The team included Bibi Afzon and Zeeba Batool from Gilgit-Baltistan, Bismah Hasan and Iqra Jillani from Punjab, Madeeha Syed from Sindh, Mona Khan from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Marya Bangash from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahreen Khan and Amina Shabbir from Islamabad, and Laraib Batool from Balochistan. Representing all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and AJK, they trained at Sadpara Mountaineering School. This training was under climbers Sajid and Ashraf Sadpara.
An all-women team of climbers from across Pakistan has successfully summited the 5,400m Bari La Peak. This Golden Jubilee expedition marks a proud milestone for the Alpine Club of Pakistan and a major step for women in mountaineering! pic.twitter.com/rRthR7EuVw
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) September 11, 2025Led by Ayaz Shigri, the team reached the true summit with ropes set by Sajid Sadpara. Six members summited their first peak. Madeeha Syed, a filmmaker who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, turned back at 5,000 meters due to illness. Mona Khan, a journalist, described the climb as a dream. It was her first above 4,800 meters, per Dawn.
Haidri called the climb a “statement of resilience” for Pakistani women. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the team, inviting them to the PM House. “These women proved Pakistan’s daughters can rise to any peak,” Haidri said. The success inspires future female adventurers.
Read: Pakistan Women Crush Bangladesh to Top ICC World Cup 2025 Qualifiers
Pakistan’s all-women expedition to Bari La Peak in 2025 highlights gender equality in mountaineering. It showcases Pakistan’s natural beauty and the potential of its women, paving the way for more inclusive adventure sports.
