ISLAMABAD, Jan 23: President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the government to consider hosting an international conference on mountaineering to refocus the attention of the world community on the range and scale of mountaineering bonanza Pakistan offered.

He said this during a meeting with a delegation of mountaineers from Gilgit-Baltistan, led by Alpine Club of Pakistan president and famous climber Nazir Sabir who called on him in the Presidency on Friday.

Qamar Zaman Kaira, Federal Minister and Chief Executive Northern Areas, Shaheen Baig, K2 summitteer from Shimshal valley, two climbers from Baltistan -- Hassan Sadpara and Ghulam Mohammad who plan to scale Mount Everest.

The President wished them success in the expedition to climb Everest. He said that the government would extend all possible help to them in their expedition and to hoist Pakistani flag on the world’s highest peak.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Qamar Zaman Kaira, and officials of KANA and tourism ministries were also present at the meeting.