Achi news desk-
Farzana Mansur
Dubai (UAE): World’s leading high-altitude mountaineer Naila Kiani has achieved another historic milestone by successfully summiting Makalu, the world’s fifth highest peak and her 11th 8,000m mountain. Kiani’s latest victory highlights her extraordinary skill and resilience, and reinforces her reputation as one of the world’s leading mountaineers. After living in Dubai for 9 years, Kiani is the first Pakistani woman ever to reach 11 of the world’s 14 highest peaks above 8,000 meters.
Its latest push to summit Makalu took place throughout last night and will continue throughout the day as it rapidly descends ahead of an expected blizzard this afternoon. The mountain has a height of 8,485 meters (27,838 feet), and Naila is the first woman in the history of Pakistan to climb this mountain, which represents her endurance and determination.
She is also the fastest ever Pakistani in history, in both the men’s and women’s categories, to have done so ever, in just under 3 years. In recognition of her extraordinary achievements, Kiani was recently honored with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, the highest civilian honor given to any sportswoman from Pakistan.
In 2023, Kiani captured global attention by scaling 7 of the world’s 14 8,000m peaks in 6 months, a feat accomplished by only 10 mountaineers worldwide.
In addition to her mountaineering achievements, Nayla Kiani’s diverse talents and dedication have been admired around the world. With a background in aeronautical and aerospace engineering from the University of London and her previous role as Vice President at HSBC Middle East Bank Global HQ, she has shown exceptional versatility and determination in balancing her professional and personal pursuits. It is worth noting that Kiani is also a competitive boxer and a devoted mother of two young children, who embodies the spirit of perseverance and excellence.
Dubai’s reputation as the “Land of Opportunity” provided Naila Kiani with the ideal environment to pursue her passion, amidst the city’s vibrant culture and supportive community. Nayla was able to find the resources and support she needed to embark on her journey to climb the world’s highest peaks in this country, for which she is forever grateful. Her achievements serve as an inspiration to high achievers across the UAE, highlighting the limitless potential of the human spirit.
