Hunza siblings scale another world peak
ISLAMABAD: Samina Baig and her brother Mirza Ali from the Shimsal valley of Hunza on Wednesday achieved another feat when they scaled the highest peak of Indonesia called Mount Carstensz Pyramid.
“We are so happy after making it the top of this peak today after six hours of hard climbing,” said Samina Baig while speaking on a satellite phone to an official of Serena Hotel which has managed the tour of the brother and sister to conquer the seven highest peaks in as many continents.
This is the fourth of the seven summits Samina and her brother will climb to promote gender equality, youth development and women empowerment. As they near the end of their journey, they also come closer to becoming the only siblings in the world to have accomplished this feat together. Samina Baig became the first Pakistani woman to climb the Mount Everest on May 19, 2013.
The climbing duo made history in December 2013 when Samina became the first Pakistani woman to have climbed Mt Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest peak in South America. In January, they scaled Mt Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, and then 5,895-metre-high Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in February.
During the next summer, they will be attempting Mt McKinley, 6,168 metres high, in Alaska. Both will be flying to Russia to climb the highest mountain in Europe, the 5,642 metres high Elbrus, which would be their last target peak in August 2014.
A lot of felicitation to both the siblings, especially to Samina. we are proud of you both. The achievements of Samina negates the concept of Shakespeare who for unknown reason had said, “Frailty thy name is women”. I exhibit the courage to criticize Shekespeare by saying “Strength thy name is women”. Samina proves it.
The poet Philosopher Iqbal says, “Zara Nm Ho to Ye miti Bohot Zarkheiz hai saqi”. Our women accumulate tremendous potentials, they need to be tapped, it is only the patriarchal mindset and deep rooted biased worldview of our society which debars women to prosper and contribute their share to the grooming of society.Once the shackles of the discriminatory worldview were shattered our women can do wonders in all fields.
I humbly request the business tycoon Mr. Malik Riaz the Chairperson Bahria Chains to encourage our heroine as he is doing the same in cricket match and else where. If i were Malik Riaz i would have extended the same encouragement without any discrimination of gender.
Samina and women like her are indeed instrumental in presenting soft image of our nation. Mr. Malik Riaz keep your legacy up, encourage Samina on your behalf and on behalf of the nations, as you have established a good tradition of encouragement. Samina is second to non, nor to Afridi and others.