Conqueror of Mount Everest, Hassan Sadpara, warmly received in Islamabad
Mountaineering School being established in Skardu: Mehdi Shah
“Sadpara has put his sweat and blood to achieve this feat: Nazir Sabir
PT Report
Islamabad, May 21: The second Pakistani conqueror of Mount Everest, Hassan Sadpara, got a hero’s welcome on landing at the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad. He was received by students, admirers, officials of Alpine Club, Pakistan Association of Tour Operators, Pakistan Adventure Club and members of the Gilgit – Baltistan Legislative Assembly.
Speaking to media at the airport, Hassan said that he was honoured by the love and prayers of the nation. “I want to use my skills to teach mountaineering to the youth”, he said while demanding establishment of “Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Mountaineering School” in Skardu.
Hassan was taken to the Gilgit – Baltistan House in the form of a procession. At the GB House, a reception was held in honour of the Hassan Sadpara. Speakers paid rich tributes to him.
Chief Minister of Gilgit – Baltistan, Mehdi Shah, said that Hassan Sadpara belongs to Gilgit – Baltistan and Pakistan and he should be treated like a national hero. “Let’s not confine our heroes to villages and districts”, Shah said. He also said that funds and plans for
launching of mountaineering school in Skardu are ready and soon the youth of Pakistan will have a facility to learn mountaineering in a modern way. He also said that President Zardari and premier Gillani would soon meet Sadpara to appreciate his achievement.
Also present during the reception were Pakistan’s legendary mountaineers, Ashraf Aman and Nazir Sabir, both hailing from Hunza Valley of Gilgit – Baltistan. Ashraf Aman has the honour of being the first Pakistani to scale K2 while Nazir Sabir is the first Pakistani to climb Mount Everest.
Speaking at the occasion Nazir Sabir paid glowing tributes to Hassan. “Sadpara has put his sweat and blood to achieve this feat”, the world famous mountaineer said, while congratulating him in a very warm manner. He also paid tribute to the ‘forgotten climbers’ of Pakistan who, Nazir Sabir, said had paved the way for others.
Maulana Attaullah Shahab, GB Council member, said that Hassan Sadpara deserves congratulations for bringing a good news for Pakistan, amid despair.
President of Pakistan Alpine Club, Col (r) Manzoor, POTA President Amjad Ayub and Opposition Leader GBLA, Bashir Ahmed, also addressed the gathering.
Towards the end a traditional Balti musical event was also held in honour of Hassan Sadpara.
The absence of representatives of federal government was being felt by students of the International Islamic University, who had come in a bus to welcome the hero. “At least the federal ministers for Sport and Tourism should have come to receive the national hero”, a young student carrying a portrait of Hassan Sadpara said, while talking to this scribe.
some good news in this gloomy state of affairs
great effort
well done Mr Sadpara
keep up the good work
aww congratss!!!! proud of u !
No doubt Mr. Hassan Sadpara did a splendid job and make us all proud… I congratulate him once again on achieving this milestone, I pray for his success in future too… I also congratulate Mr. Ashraf Aman, Mr. Nazir Sabir and many others who become source of inspiration for all these youngsters
it was bit disappointing to see the attitude of Pamir times that it has reported those whom they like, though PATO and its president (Amjad Ayub) also spoke and fully participated in the reception of Mr. Hassan Sadpara… I should have not mention, but was expecting a professionalism, which I did not see in this report and on many other occasions.