Islamabad: North Face Adventure celebrates an extraordinary achievement that advances women’s participation in mountaineering and showcases Pakistan’s growing potential as a global adventure tourism destination
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, 27 August 2026: North Face Adventure (NFA) proudly congratulates Shama Baqir, Samana Rahim, Zooni Aslam and Zaiba Batool Shigri on successfully reaching the summit of Spantik Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The four mountaineers from Gilgit-Baltistan completed the demanding ascent without the assistance of high-altitude porters and returned safely to Skardu. Shama Baqir and Samana Rahim belong to Shimshal Valley, Zooni Aslam is from Gulmit in Gojal, Upper Hunza, while Zaiba Batool Shigri belongs to Shigar district. Their achievement was confirmed by the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
Their success represents far more than reaching a mountain summit. It is a celebration of courage, resilience, preparation, teamwork and the growing leadership of Pakistani women in adventure sports. Standing among the mighty peaks of the Karakoram, these women have demonstrated that even the highest challenges can be overcome through determination, discipline and unwavering self-belief.
“North Face Adventure is honoured to celebrate these remarkable women and their inspiring achievement. Their journey reflects the courage of Pakistan’s women, the strength of our mountain communities and the enormous potential of the country’s adventure-tourism sector,” said Shahzad Faisal Khan, Managing Director of North Face Adventure.
“Every successful expedition tells the world a larger story about Pakistan. It is a story of extraordinary landscapes, resilient communities, skilled mountaineers and women who are confidently breaking barriers.”, Khan said.
Spantik, widely known as the Golden Peak, rises to 7,027 meters, or 23,054 feet, in the Spantik-Sosbun range of the Karakoram. The mountain is associated with the Chogolungma Glacier and was first successfully climbed in 1955.
Spantik is one of Pakistan’s best-known 7,000-metre mountains. Its standard southeast-ridge route is often selected by climbers preparing to progress towards more technically demanding high-altitude expeditions.
However, the mountain remains a serious undertaking that requires extensive preparation, acclimatization, teamwork and the ability to operate in unpredictable weather and extreme altitude.
The mountain forms part of Gilgit-Baltistan’s exceptional high-altitude geography. According to the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan’s Tourism Department, the region contains more than 700 peaks above 6,000 meters and over 108 peaks exceeding 7,000 meters. It is also home to five of the world’s fourteen mountains above 8,000 meters, including K2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum
II.
These natural assets place northern Pakistan among the world’s most important destinations for mountaineering, trekking, climbing, cultural exploration and nature-based tourism.
The achievement comes at a time when tourism is becoming increasingly important to Pakistan’s economy, employment and international image.
According to the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, approximately 80 million domestic tourist trips are undertaken across Pakistan annually. Northern destinations, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Swat, Naran, Kaghan, Murree, Nathia Gali, Neelum Valley and Chitral, remain among the most popular areas for domestic travel.
Official figures from the Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Department show that the region recorded 989,793 domestic tourist visits during 2024. Skardu received the highest number, with 302,384 visitors, followed by Hunza with 233,070, Gilgit with 130,480 and Diamer with 118,363. Nagar and Shigar, both closely connected with the region’s mountaineering economy, recorded 39,419 and 28,690 domestic visitors respectively.
Tourism is also an important economic sector. World Bank tourism data indicates that travel and tourism contributed approximately 5.8 per cent to Pakistan’s GDP and 6.7 per cent of total employment in 2023. Pakistan ranked 101st out of 119 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index, highlighting both the sector’s economic relevance and the considerable space available for future improvement.
Women-led expeditions can strengthen this growth by presenting Pakistan as an inclusive and increasingly accessible adventure destination. They can also create new opportunities for local guides, porters, hotels, transport providers, artisans and mountain communities.
North Face Adventure is a Pakistan-based tourism and destination-management company with more than 15 years of experience in creating travel experiences across the country.
Headquartered in Islamabad, with a presence in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Karachi and Skardu, the company operates through a network of more than 400 hotels, over 25 vehicle-rental services and partnerships with local airlines.
NFA offers mountaineering, trekking, cultural, religious, wildlife and customised tourism experiences. Its destinations extend from Hunza, Skardu, Kashmir, Swat and Chitral to Punjab, Sindh and the coastal landscapes of Balochistan.
The company is committed to promoting Pakistan’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and hospitality through responsible and sustainable tourism. Its approach seeks to connect international and domestic travellers with local communities while supporting economic activity, cultural understanding and environmental responsibility.
North Face Adventure believes that Pakistan’s mountain tourism must grow responsibly. This requires stronger safety standards, trained guides, reliable rescue arrangements, environmental protection, waste management and meaningful economic participation by local communities. It also requires greater opportunities for women to participate as climbers, guides, entrepreneurs and tourism professionals.
The successful Spantik ascent provides an inspiring example of what can be achieved when talent, preparation, courage and community support come together.
North Face Adventure proudly celebrates not only the summit but also the people, communities and enduring spirit behind it.
