Pakistani siblings Mirza Ali, Samina Baig scale Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro

ISLAMABAD-

Pakistani siblings Mirza Ali and Samina Baig reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (5895m) in Tanzania on Wednesday.

Mirza Ali was overjoyed when reporting this latest achievement from the top of the summit, “It feels fantastic! We made it to the top today after facing heavy snow fall and rain. It feels so good to have gotten here at last.”

The siblings are currently engaged in an Adventure Diplomacy Expedition, which is supported by the Embassies of Republic of Argentina, Republic of Indonesia, Nepal, Russian Federation, United States of America, and the Serena Hotels.

Late last year, on December 13, 2013, the pair reached the summit of Argentina’s Mount Aconcagua (6962m). This achievement was quickly followed by their summit of Mount Vinson Massif (4892m) in Antarctica.

With this third, most recent summit, the siblings are well on their way to conquering seven of the world’s tallest peaks across seven continents. If they are successful, they will be the first brother-sister duo to have completed this feat.

Through this expedition, Mirza and Samina hope to help build a positive image for Pakistan’s tourism industry and promote women’s empowerment. Samina Baig is already a national hero in Pakistan.

Originally from Shimshal Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, she was the first Pakistani woman and the youngest Muslim in the world to climb Mount Everest in May 2013.

With much of the world’s media focused on Pakistan’s security situation, the siblings’ attempt to bring about change through this expedition is a welcome attempt to shift some of the public discourse back to the country’s ambitious and talented youth.

Next, the mountaineers will be heading to Bali, Indonesia to summit Mount Carstenz Pyramid (4884m). They are expected to complete the Adventure Diplomacy Expedition in August 2014.