The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has honoured the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) for its assistance and cooperation during the search and rescue operation following the devastating avalanche on Broad Peak earlier this year, highlighting the importance of international solidarity and collaboration in high-altitude mountaineering.
NMA President Fur Gelje Sherpa presented a Letter of Appreciation to Ayaz Ahmed Shigri, General Secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, in recognition of the support provided by the Pakistani mountaineering organization during the operation. The appreciation ceremony was held at the NMA premises in Kathmandu, bringing together representatives of Nepal’s mountaineering community to acknowledge the humanitarian contribution and cooperation extended by their Pakistani counterparts.
NMA Recognizes Pakistan’s Contribution to Broad Peak Rescue Efforts
The recognition follows the extensive search and rescue efforts conducted after a devastating avalanche struck Broad Peak earlier this year, claiming the lives of at least five Nepali mountaineers. Among those who lost their lives were internationally renowned climber Nirmal Purja Magar, popularly known as Nims Dai, and mountaineer Pur Bahadur Gurung.
Following the incident, search and rescue teams made extensive efforts to locate and assist the missing climbers. Despite the challenging mountain conditions and rescue operations, the incident ended in tragedy, with all the climbers losing their lives. The Alpine Club of Pakistan extended valuable support and assistance during the rescue efforts, demonstrating cooperation and solidarity between the mountaineering communities of the two neighbouring countries.
Appreciation Ceremony Held at NMA Premises
During the formal ceremony held at the NMA premises, NMA President Fur Gelje Sherpa presented a Letter of Appreciation to Ayaz Ahmed Shigri, General Secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, on behalf of the association, recognizing the valuable contribution and assistance extended by ACP during the challenging search and rescue operation on Broad Peak. The programme was attended by NMA General Secretary Rajendra Bahadur Lama, Secretary Chandan Thapa and Chief Administrative Officer Jinesh Sindurakar, reflecting the association’s institutional recognition of the support provided by its Pakistani counterpart.
The gathering served as an occasion for NMA to formally acknowledge the efforts of the Alpine Club of Pakistan and convey its sincere gratitude for the cooperation demonstrated during a difficult and tragic emergency. The association appreciated the willingness of ACP and its representatives to extend support during the rescue operation, emphasizing that such assistance goes beyond organizational cooperation and represents a shared commitment to humanitarian values, mutual understanding and solidarity within the international mountaineering community. NMA further recognized that cooperation between mountaineering institutions is particularly important during emergencies in challenging high-altitude environments, where coordinated efforts and mutual support play a significant role in responding to unforeseen situations.
Strengthening Nepal-Pakistan Mountaineering Cooperation
Expressing its appreciation, NMA highlighted the importance of mutual assistance, international coordination and institutional partnerships in ensuring safer mountaineering activities. The association noted that cooperation between Nepal and Pakistan reflects the longstanding friendship and solidarity shared by the mountaineering communities of both countries. Nepal and Pakistan are prominent destinations for international mountaineering, attracting climbers from around the world to their Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges. Both countries have extensive experience in high-altitude climbing and mountain rescue operations, making collaboration between their mountaineering institutions particularly valuable.
NMA emphasized that such partnerships are essential for strengthening mountain safety, improving emergency response coordination and promoting responsible mountaineering. The recognition of the Alpine Club of Pakistan also serves as a reminder that international cooperation and collective efforts remain crucial in addressing the risks associated with high-altitude climbing. The association expressed its sincere gratitude to Ayaz Ahmed Shigri and the entire Alpine Club of Pakistan for their support, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening cooperation and solidarity within the international mountaineering community.
