The icon of Pakistan’s pride and mountaineering, Naila Kiani, managed to summarize Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) – the third highest mountain in the world, becoming the first Pakistani woman to conquer this formidable peak.
With this important stage, Naila is now held among a group of world mountaineers’ elite, after having extended 12 of the 14 highest peaks in the world above 8,000 meters, continuing her unprecedented journey of default limits.
With only two summits to play, it is close to becoming one of the 17 women in the world to have conquered the 14,000 meters of the planet.
Naila is not only a climber but a manufacturer of changes. She led environmental campaigns, such as high altitude cleaning in K2, and a recovery mission for Pakistani Porter Muhammad Hassan Shigri, closed her family in mourning.
As a mother of two children, a former banker and defender passionate about sustainable climbing, Naila Kiani defies traditional molds and inspires a new generation of Pakistani, especially young women, to dream beyond the limits.
The ascent of Naila Kiani in the world of mountaineering is as inspiring as they are unprecedented. Since her first successful summit of Gasherbrum II – took place while balancing a demanding career in the finance and responsibilities of maternity – to conquer giants such as Everest, K2, LHOTE, Annapurna I and Makalu, she has constantly challenged the chances and the broken barriers.
In just under three years, she became the first Pakistani woman at a top 11 of the world’s highest peaks above 8,000 meters. These include K2 (8,611 m), known as Savage Mountain and the highest peak in Pakistan; Everest (8,848 m), the highest peak in the world; Lhotse (8,516m); Makalu (8,485 m); Annapurna I (8,091m); As well as Broad Peak, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Gasherbrum I and II and Nanga Parbat.
In 2023 alone, she reached the extraordinary exploit of Summitting Seven 8,000 meters Peaks in just six months, placing it in the company of a handful of climbers in the world for having reached such a stage in a single climbing season.
Behind the extraordinary pursuit of Naila, the highest peaks in the world is a coherent force – the Bard Foundation. Their continuous support is not only a partnership, but a commitment to see it at the top and beyond.
Mehreen Dawood, member – Board of Governors, shared: “Naila represents the very spirit that we aim to feed in Bard: resilience, courage and unshakable pursuit of excellence. His heights are not only personal victories – they are stages for all Pakistani women. We are proud to support her trip and amplify the impact she continues to make globally. ”
Abdul Razak Dawood, President – Bard Foundation said: “What Naila has achieved is historic. Its dynamism, its integrity and its objective embody the values of the Bard Foundation. We believe in support of talents that break barriers, and Naila is the perfect example of what can be accomplished when ambition meets opportunities. ”
Now, with only two 8,000 -meter peaks to stay at the top – Cho Oyu and Shishapangma – Naila is a striking distance from the completion of the 14 highest peaks in the world, some dreams dared to hunt and even less have reached.
