GB govt announces establishment of training centre to honour Ali Sadpara, compensation for family

Published February 23, 2021
Muhammad Ali Sadpara is the only Pakistani to have climbed eight of the 14 8,000 metre peaks. — Photo: Elia Saikaly/File
Muhammad Ali Sadpara is the only Pakistani to have climbed eight of the 14 8,000 metre peaks. — Photo: Elia Saikaly/File

Gilgit Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan on Tuesday announced that Rs3 million will be paid to the widow of mountaineer Mohammad Ali Sadpara, who was last week declared dead after he went missing on the K2 mountain.

Additionally, he said that mountaineer Sajid Ali Sadpara — the son of Mohammad — will be trained according to international standards, after which he will be able to provide training to aspiring climbers in the Mohammad Ali Sadpara Institute for Adventure Sports, Mountaineering and Rock Climbing, an institute which would be formed to honour the latter.

During a cabinet meeting, CM Khan paid tribute to Mohammad and said that the mountaineer had "earned recognition for Pakistan across the globe". He noted that the mountaineer chose the profession despite limited resources and dangers, adding that Mohammad's "services will always be remembered". He also paid tribute to all those "unsung heroes" who made GB proud with their achievements despite limited resources.

CM Khan also announced that policies will be formulated to promote the sport of mountain climbing and for the protection and assistance of mountaineers so that they can be provided better resources and training.

The cabinet also agreed to nominate Mohammad for the civil award. A cabinet committee comprising Finance Minister Javed Ali Manwa, Law Adviser Sohail Abbas and Adviser to GB Food Department Shams Lone will pay a visit to Mohammad's family and extend their condolences. CM Khan, himself, will also visit the mountaineer's house and extend his condolences to the family.

After days of searching, Mohammad, John Snorri from Iceland and JP Mohr from Chile were declared dead on February 18. The three climbers were last seen on February 5 near the Bottleneck on K2 as they attempted to reach the summit of the Savage Mountain. Sajid Sadpara, who was accompanying the three, had to abandon his summit bid after his oxygen regulator malfunctioned and he returned to Camp 3.

Bad weather thwarted multiple attempts to search for the missing climbers, though the efforts continued for several days after the trio went missing.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...