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Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business Recorder
Naila Kiani summits Kanchenjunga
LAHORE: Pakistani mountaineer, Naila Kiani, has successfully summited Kanchenjunga (8,586m)—the world's third highest mountain, becoming the first Pakistani woman to conquer this formidable peak. With this milestone, Naila now stands among an elite group of global mountaineers, having scaled 12 out of the world's 14 highest peaks above 8,000 meters, continuing her unprecedented journey of defying limits. With just two summits remaining, she is edging closer to becoming one of only 17 women in the world to have conquered all 14 of the planet's 8,000-meter giants. Naila is not only a climber but a change-maker. She has led environmental campaigns, such as a high-altitude cleanup at K2, and a recovery mission for Pakistani porter Muhammad Hassan Shigri, bringing closure to his grieving family. As a mother of two, a former banker, and a passionate advocate for sustainable climbing, Naila Kiani defies traditional molds and inspires a new generation of Pakistanis, especially young women, to dream beyond the boundaries placed before them. Naila Kiani's rise in the mountaineering world is as inspiring as it is unprecedented. From her first successful summit of Gasherbrum II—achieved while balancing a demanding career in finance and the responsibilities of motherhood—to conquering giants such as Everest, K2, Lhotse, Annapurna I, and Makalu, she has consistently defied the odds and broken barriers. In just under three years, she became the first Pakistani woman to summit 11 of the world's highest peaks above 8,000 meters. These include K2 (8,611m), known as the savage mountain and Pakistan's tallest peak; Everest (8,848m), the highest peak in the world; Lhotse (8,516m); Makalu (8,485m); Annapurna I (8,091m); as well as Broad Peak, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Gasherbrum I and II, and Nanga Parbat. In 2023 alone, she achieved the extraordinary feat of summiting seven 8,000-meter peaks within just six months, placing her in the company of only a handful of climbers worldwide to have accomplished such a milestone in a single climbing season. Behind Naila's extraordinary pursuit of the world's highest peaks stands a consistent force—the BARD Foundation. Their continued support is not just a partnership, but a commitment to seeing her through to the summit and beyond. Mehreen Dawood, Member – Board of Governors, shared, 'Naila represents the very spirit we aim to nurture at BARD: resilience, courage, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence. Her summits are not just personal victories—they are milestones for all Pakistani women. We are proud to support her journey and amplify the impact she continues to make globally.' Abdul Razak Dawood, President – BARD Foundation said, 'What Naila has achieved is historic. Her drive, integrity, and purpose embody the values of the BARD Foundation. We believe in backing talent that breaks barriers, and Naila is the perfect example of what can be accomplished when ambition meets opportunity.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Gulf Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Dubai resident Naila Kiani summits world's third highest mountain
Dubai resident and Pakistan's pride and mountaineering icon, Naila Kiani, on Friday morning, at 4:44am (UAE Standard Time, has successfully summited Kanchenjunga (8,586 metre) — the world's third highest mountain, situated in Nepal, becoming the first Pakistani woman to conquer this formidable peak. This remarkable achievement makes her only the second Muslim woman in history to climb 12 of the planet's 14 peaks above 8,000 metres, accomplished by 16 women historically. Naila is not only a mountaineer but a change-maker. She has led environmental campaigns, such as a high-altitude cleanup at K2 , and a recovery mission for Pakistani porter Muhammad Hassan Shigri, bringing closure to his grieving family. As a mother of two, a former banker, and a passionate advocate for sustainable climbing, Naila defies traditional molds and inspires a new generation of Pakistanis, especially young women, to dream beyond the boundaries placed before them. Naila Kiani with her team members wave Pakistan's national flag at Kanchenjunga mountain. Before starting the summit push, through a message to her team, Naila had said, 'Climbing Kanchenjunga has been an incredibly difficult expedition and a harsh reminder of how hard it is to climb mountains over 8,000m.' 'Kanchenjunga is known for its treacherous terrains and unpredictable weather,' she added. Living in Dubai and proudly sponsored by the BARD Foundation, Kiani credits both the UAE's ambitious spirit and her sponsor's rock-solid belief in her potential as key forces behind her journey. 'The UAE has been more than just my home, it has been the gateway to everything I dared to dream,' said Kiani after the summit. 'This is a country that doesn't just believe in the impossible, it makes it happen.' Naila Kiani credits the UAE's ambitious spirit as a key force behind her journey. 'Behind Naila's extraordinary pursuit of the world's highest peaks stands a consistent force, the BARD Foundation. Their continued support is not just a partnership, but a commitment to seeing her through to the summit and beyond.' Abdul Razak Dawood, President - BARD Foundation, praised the historic nature of her achievement. 'What Naila has achieved is historic. Her drive, integrity, and purpose embody the values of the BARD Foundation. We believe in backing talent that breaks barriers, and Naila is the perfect example of what can be accomplished when ambition meets opportunity.' Naila began her summit push at 5:30pm UAE time on Thursday after a full day of climbing. Battling through the night in brutal high altitude conditions, facing heavy snowfall, extreme cold, and dangerous terrain, she reached the summit of Kanchenjunga in the early hours of Friday (May 23) . Her endurance and courage under such conditions reflect not only her personal grit but also the relentless pursuit of excellence fostered by her home in the UAE. Naila has already summited 11 out of the world's 14 peaks above 8,000m, including Everest, K2, Broad Peak, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum-I, Gasherbrum-II, Annapurna, Lhotse, Manaslu, Makalu and Cho Oyu. The 14 Peak Challenge remains one of the greatest tests in mountaineering: only 14 mountains on Earth rise above 8,000 metres, each posing deadly risks and extreme physical demands. With 12 summits now behind her, Naila is closer than ever to completing this elite challenge. Born in Pakistan, studied at university in the United Kingdom, and shaped by a decade of life in Dubai, Naila embodies the multidimensional identity of the modern Muslim woman. She is an aerospace engineer, banker, mother of two, competitive boxer, and co founder of the AI startup In 2023, she was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan's highest civilian honour, becoming the first and only sportswoman in the nation's history to receive the distinction. But her journey transcends borders, sending a global message of what is possible when courage meets opportunity and when belief, both institutional and personal, fuels the climb. As Naila prepares for the final two 8,000 metre peaks, she stands not only on the edge of mountaineering history but as a symbol of what women, Muslims, and Dubai based athletes can achieve on the world stage. Earlier, it was reported that Kiani was in Nepal preparing for her next formidable challenge: summiting Kanchenjunga (8,586 metres), the third-highest mountain in the world. This expedition marks another powerful stride in her mission to become one of the few climbers globally, and among an even more elite group of women, to scale all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres. A recipient of the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, one of the highest civilian honours, Kiani is a modern symbol of resilience, diversity, and multidimensional success. An aerospace engineer, competitive boxer, mother of two, and tech entrepreneur of she is also the founder of Naila Kiani Adventures, a travel and expedition company.
Express Tribune
23-05-2025
- Express Tribune
12 down, 2 to go: Naila Kiani summits Kanchenjunga
Listen to article Pakistan's pride and mountaineering icon, Naila Kiani, has successfully summited Kanchenjunga (8,586m)—the world's third highest mountain, becoming the first Pakistani woman to conquer this formidable peak. With this milestone, Naila now stands among an elite group of global mountaineers, having scaled 12 out of the world's 14 highest peaks above 8,000 meters, continuing her unprecedented journey of defying limits. With just two summits remaining, she is edging closer to becoming one of only 17 women in the world to have conquered all 14 of the planet's 8,000-meter giants. Naila is not only a climber but a change-maker. She has led environmental campaigns, such as a high-altitude cleanup at K2, and a recovery mission for Pakistani porter Muhammad Hassan Shigri, bringing closure to his grieving family. As a mother of two, a former banker, and a passionate advocate for sustainable climbing, Naila Kiani defies traditional molds and inspires a new generation of Pakistanis, especially young women, to dream beyond the boundaries placed before them. Naila Kiani's rise in the mountaineering world is as inspiring as it is unprecedented. From her first successful summit of Gasherbrum II—achieved while balancing a demanding career in finance and the responsibilities of motherhood—to conquering giants such as Everest, K2, Lhotse, Annapurna I, and Makalu, she has consistently defied the odds and broken barriers. In just under three years, she became the first Pakistani woman to summit 11 of the world's highest peaks above 8,000 meters. These include K2 (8,611m), known as the savage mountain and Pakistan's tallest peak; Everest (8,848m), the highest peak in the world; Lhotse (8,516m); Makalu (8,485m); Annapurna I (8,091m); as well as Broad Peak, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Gasherbrum I and II, and Nanga Parbat. In 2023 alone, she achieved the extraordinary feat of summiting seven 8,000-meter peaks within just six months, placing her in the company of only a handful of climbers worldwide to have accomplished such a milestone in a single climbing season. Behind Naila's extraordinary pursuit of the world's highest peaks stands a consistent force—the BARD Foundation. Their continued support is not just a partnership, but a commitment to seeing her through to the summit and beyond. Mehreen Dawood, Member – Board of Governors, shared: 'Naila represents the very spirit we aim to nurture at BARD: resilience, courage, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence. Her summits are not just personal victories—they are milestones for all Pakistani women. We are proud to support her journey and amplify the impact she continues to make globally.' Abdul Razak Dawood, President – BARD Foundation said: 'What Naila has achieved is historic. Her drive, integrity, and purpose embody the values of the BARD Foundation. We believe in backing talent that breaks barriers, and Naila is the perfect example of what can be accomplished when ambition meets opportunity.' Now, with only two 8,000-meter peaks left to summit—Cho Oyu and Shishapangma—Naila is within striking distance of completing all 14 of the world's highest peaks, a dream few have dared to chase and even fewer have achieved.
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Naila Kiani becomes first Pakistani woman to summit world's third highest peak
Naila Kiani makes history as the first Pakistani woman to summit Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586m) – the world's third-highest mountain situated in Nepal, and completing 12 of the world's 14 highest peaks, her team announced on Instagram on Friday. In a joint post with Prime Minister's Youth Programme, Kiani announced her latest success. With this climb, she is two summits away from joining an elite group of just 17 women in the world to have completed all 14 eight-thousanders. View this post on Instagram 'This summit is not just a personal milestone,' Kiani said in a statement during her descent. 'It's a message to every girl and woman in Pakistan and beyond: you are stronger than you think.' Naila Kiani becomes second Pakistani woman to scale Mount Everest The expedition was supported by the BARD Foundation, an initiative of Bilquis and Abdul Razak Dawood aimed at supporting Pakistani talent. 'Her courage, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence embody everything we believe in,' the foundation wrote in an accompanying post. Kiyani is based in Dubai and is a former banker-turned-professional mountaineer. In an earlier interview with Business Recorder, she had mentioned her intent to scale all of the world's highest peaks. In an earlier post detailing her journey, she said, 'Climbing Kanchenjunga has been an incredibly difficult expedition and a harsh reminder of how hard it is to climb mountains over 8,000m.' In 2023 alone, Naila scaled seven of the 14 highest mountains in the world.
