Naila Kiani, once a banker in Dubai, has imprinted her name in Pakistan’s mountaineering history by becoming the first-ever female climber from the country to scale all five 8-thousands (peaks of over 8,000m).
Pakistan’s first female mountaineer to scale five 8-thousanders (peaks of over 8,000m). Naila Kiani, now has her eyes set on summitting all the 14 peaks in the world.
Once a banker in Dubai, the ambitious climber has imprinted her name in the country’s mountaineering history with an extraordinary feat, as her eight total climbs, so far, have made her the first and only Pakistani woman to do so.
The mountaineer is now hopeful of climbing the remaining six summits. “I want to climb as soon and as much as possible,” she said in an exclusive interview.
Naila recently scaled the Nanga Parbat and Broad Peak to complete her feat of scaling all five highest peaks in the Pakistani territory. The mother of two started her journey only two years back when she became the first Pakistani woman to climb the 8,035m tall Gasherbrum II — the world’s 13th highest mountain.
Her Achievements
Since her maiden ascent of Gasherbrum II in 2021, Naila has triumphed over K2, Gasherbrum I, Annapurna, Mount Everest, Lhotse, Nanga Parbat, and Broad Peak.
Among her climbs, Naila was the first Pakistani woman to summit six out of the eight peaks. While Samina Baig had preceded Naila by a few hours on K2 and had also conquered Everest in 2013, Naila has now firmly established herself as the country’s most accomplished female mountaineer.
“I find it almost surreal, and sometimes I wonder how I managed to achieve all of this, how this all came to fruition,” she mused. She views the distinction of being the first Pakistani female to ascend numerous peaks as a profound honor.
Naila emphasized the challenges she encountered along the way but maintained an unwavering belief that no obstacle is insurmountable. She also acknowledged the emotional struggle of leaving behind her two young daughters, aged two and four, during her expeditions.