Samina Baig and Mirza Ali, the two siblings from Shamshal Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan, were given a grand reception here by Alpine Club of Pakistan Everest on 4th June 2013 after their successful bid of scaling the Mount Everest

President Alpine Club of Pakistan
Col.Manzoor Hussain addressing the ceremony

Considering their achievement to be the biggest event in the history of mountaineering in Pakistan, many dignitaries of Gilgit-Baltistan were present to appreciate their effort.

Alpine Club of Pakistan President Colonel Manzoor Hussain, Gilgit-Baltistan CM Mehdi Shah, Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Pir Karam Ali Shah, Sadia Danish, adviser to CM, and Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan Secretary Shahid Ullah Baig were present on the occasion.

Secretary Kashmir Affairs Shahid Ullah Baig
addressing the ceremony

While appreciating the efforts of Samina and her brother, Mirza Ali, Alpine Club of Pakistan President Colonel Manzoor Hussain said: “It is our privilege that we have these two great personalities amongst us. Samina, a 22-year-old girl, did a remarkable effort and nobody knew that this petite girl could climbed the tallest mountain on the earth. We should also salute Mirza Ali who all the way supported her effort. Pakistan is called the paradise of mountaineering as we have 6000+, 7000+ and 8,000+ peaks. Mountaineers from all over the world come to climb these peaks and expect that Pakistanis would climb these peaks but unfortunately the situation is not like this. We also have some great mountaineers who have summit these peaks, among them are Nazir Sabir, Rajab Shah and Hasan Sadpara.”Colonel Manzoor said: “Mountaineering is a risky and an expensive profession, you need to develop the skills in it.”“President Asif Ali Zardari supported Hasan Sadpara and he was able to climb the peaks. It is heartening to see that Samina and Mirza Ali managed to collect funding for their climb. Samina also managed to climb over 8,000+ mountain though she was physically not so strong. This was a big achievement for females. The Alpine Club is facilitating female mountaineers since 1979. And finally in 2013, Samina was able to climb Mount Everest. It was also appreciable that the parents had send both their children for the climb, which was a very courageous thing to do as a parent. We will nominate them for Sitar-e-Imtiaz and 
Fatima Jinnah Award,” he added

Mirza Ali Renowned Mountaineer

 addressing the ceremony.

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Secretary IPC Faridullah Khan
addressing the Ceremony.

Sadia Danish Advisor to Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan

                addressing the ceremony.

Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah
addressing the ceremony.

Pir Karam Ali Shah Governer Gilgit Baltistan
addressing the ceremony

Syed Mehdi Shah Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan
giving away Shield to Mirza Ali brother  of Samina Baig.

Pir Karam Ali Shah Governer Gilgit Baltistan
giving away shield to Smina Baig

Mirza Ali brother of Samina Baig gave a presentation and showed the audience through photographs, the challenges during the climb and the triumph after the summit. He said that he has launched an NGO naming Pakistan Youth Outreach that was later named as Gender Equality Expedition, as they prepared for Mount Everest. He informed the love showered on them by Nepali people who welcomed them with ‘pooja’ and scarf etc. Indian twin girls became close friends with Samina. “Nepalese celebrated the 60th Anniversary of Mount Everest, as we were the first to climb the Base Camp. At the 8,400 meters I descended and encouraged Samina to go further up 200 meters to make the summit. I wanted my sister to make the summit as it was her mission to climb the peak and I fully supported her,” he added.
Sadia Danish Adviser to CM said that Gilgit-Baltistan women are very strong and Samina has given a verystrong message to the whole world. We will nominate them for civil award.
Secretary Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, Shahid Ullah Baig said that it is rare that a living vessel has touched the heaven and come back. They have not only climbed Mount Everest, but they have made Gilgit-Baltistan proud. He committed that they will give Fatima Jinnah Award to Samina Big for her outstanding achievement. “We are the custodians to these peaks and it would be a pity if these are not climbed,” he added.Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah said that despite the fact that Gilgit-Baltistan is denied its right we still hold Pakistani flag close to our chest. At least the former government has given Gilgit-Baltistan its name, soon a time will come that we’ll be standing with other provinces. The government of GB salutes these young climbers.Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Pir Karam Ali Shah said that a daughter was born here and the history of Shamshaal was changed forever. These mountains were earlier ruled by cheetah and ibex, but now not only humans have conquered them, but this daughter has made this courageous effort and scaled it.
Later honorary membership of Alpine Club of Pakistan and certificates were awarded to Samina Baig and Mirza Ali for their remarkable achievement.

Audience