“Proud to have a brother like Mirza Ali”, says Samina Baig at a reception dinner
Our Correspondent
Photos: Sherzaman Gulzaman
Islamabad: The first Pakistani woman to climb Mount Everest was honoured by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan Shia Imami Ismaili Regional Council for Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Mardan Areas and Aga Khan Youth and Sport Board at Serena Hotel.
The reception was attended by Mr. Iqbal Sadruddin Walji, President of the Ismaili National Council for Pakistan, Dr. Firoz Rasul, President of the Aga Khan University, Mr. Shamez Mukhi, Chairman of the Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board for Pakistan and Mr. Aziz Shariff, a USA based philanthropist and investor, who had especially flown in to greet and meet the young mountaineer duo. A large number of community leaders from Islamabad and Rawalpindi were also present at the occasion.
President Walji congratulated Samina Baig for creating history by becoming the first Pakistani woman to climb the Mount Everest. He also paid rich tributes to the parents and siblings of Samina, especially Mirza Ali, for creating the opportunities to help Samina materialize the great feat. He said that without commitment and determination such achievements are impossible. He also hailed Mirza Ail for training and mentoring Samina for mountaineering.
Speaking at the occasion President Dr. Firoz Rasul of the Aga Khan University paid glowing tributes to Samin and Mirza for their success. He said that Samin has become a source of inspiration for the women and girls of Pakistan.
Mirza Ali, in his address, gave details of his engagement with the world of mountaineering, as a climber and an organizer of mountaineering expedition.
He said that as citizens of Pakistan, the youth of the country should remain loyal to the state and they should use their energies and expertise to excel in the fields of their choice. He also urged the men of Pakistan to stand by the women and offer them helping hand whenever required.
He also explained that mountaineering for him is not merely a source of adventure and personal gain. “I have been using adventure sports to promote the notion of gender equality”, said Mirza.
Later, Samina Baig thanked the people for showering her with love and respect. She said that without the support of her brother she may never have been able to summit Mount Everest. “I am proud to have a supportive brother like Mirza Ali”, Samina said. She was given a standing ovation by the audience. She said that hoisting the national flag on the summit of Mount Everest was a source of pride for her.
Towards the end Mr. Aziz Shariff praised Samina Baig and Mirza Ali and their parents. He asked the audience to give standing ovation to Mr. Khayal Baig, father of Samina and Mirza, for allowing his children the liberty to choose the paths of their life. He also announced a cash prize of one million rupees for Samina and Mirza, as a token of support towards accomplishment of their future goals.
Mementos and gifts were also presented to Samina Baig and Mirza by the leaders of the community. Earlier, the guests were welcomed in a traditional way by little artists who presented Wakhi folk welcome song, “Shoh Muborakbod”.
Nice reception and encouragement from the Institutions.
Appriciation, encouragement and support brings attitudnal,imotional, behaviral and professional changes in a person’s life.It is a great recognition party from the community to Sammina Baig and her Brother.That will encourage more the talented youth to show their creativity at national level and international level for a better changen.
IN the Holy Quran. When Allah wants to Honor More respect.or more disrespect.
It depends The character or quality of a person,In the Hadees Says inmal Imalu bey nyati.
Samina and Mirza Ali with prayer of your parent and your personal hard work,you are the roll model formany.ican only sya Keep the God gift High with respect.
Thanks to Ismaili council pakistan for honouring the torch bearers of love and encouragement of Gb.
Samina & Mirza Ali all GBIANS are proud to you both and your family for making a good name of Pakistan and GB. It is hoped That you all well known mountaineers like Nazir sabir, Ashraf Aman, Hussan sadparah would play your role in Gb development like in tourism, building bridges with the rest of the world and attracting donors and tourist towards GB. God bless You all earning good name for the country and GB.
WELL INITITIVE BY NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR PAKISTAN TO ENCOURAGE THE YOUNG LEADERS OF ISMAILI AND SPECIALLY PAKISTANI, BUT DO NOT FORGET THE DEVELOPEMENT OF BACKWARD AREA OF SHIMSHAL ALSO. I REQUEST SAMINA BAIG ALSO TO ASK GOVT AS WELL AS COMMUNITY LEADERS TO VISIT FAR FLONG AREA OF SHIMSHAL AND ASK SCHOOL, ROAD AND OTHER MATERIAL THINGS WHICH WILL BE REMEMBER BY THE POOR PEOPLE OF SHISHAL
We all proud of you Samina Baig and Mirza Ali. It is a lesson for all of us that how a supportive brother like Mirza Ali helped out his sister to materialize her talent. Proud of you both, You are legends and inspirations for the youth of pakistan.
While I am proud of these bro and sister’s achievement. However, Mirza Ali as being second class citizen of Pakistan, he should not emphasize on the loyalty towards Pakistan. Rather, he should take the opportunity and ask to give equal rights to GBians.
Pakistan uses GBians whether NLI’s fighting at Siachin or climbing Mount Everest to using GB resources without giving equal rights including a basic voting rights to parliament.
Either GB is in Pakistan or out of Pakistan. There is no middle path.
Saima baig is undoubtedly pride for pakitan, pride for Gilgit baltistan ,pride for hunza and pride for her parents equally. She has proven that courage needs no gender.