It is sad that the Pakistani media failed to highlight Samina's achievement.
JUBAIL, SAUDI ARABIA: This is with reference to your editorial “Reaching new heights” (May 21). I think that this current week needs to be dedicated to several brave women, who are making history by breaking cultural taboos. On May 18, a 25-year-old graduate student from Jeddah, Raha Moharrak, became the first Saudi woman to reach the world’s highest peak Mount Everest. She scaled the peak from the Nepalese side of the mountain along with a group of 64 climbers, including Nepalese sherpa guides.
Just a day later, on May 19, a 21-year-old mountaineer from Shimshal Valley of Hunza, Samina Baig, became the first Pakistani woman to reach the top of Mount Everest. She was accompanied by her brother Mirza Ali. Samina has already got several feathers in her cap. She conquered the virgin peak Chashkin Sar in 2010, which is now called Samina Peak. She reached another virgin peak in 2011, which is now called ‘Koh-i-Brobar’— Mountain of Equality, a reference to her adventures that she has undertaken along with her brother.
It is sad that the Pakistani media failed to highlight this proud event on television channels as they were still busy covering the election and its aftermath. Perhaps, as a nation, we have misplaced priorities that leads us to ignore such historic milestones. Great job Samina. Perhaps, it is time to conquer the most dangerous peak in the world — K2.
Masood Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2013.
