Dubai resident and Pakistan’s pride and mountaineering icon, Naila Kiani, on Friday morning, at 4:44am (UAE Standard Time, has successfully summited Kanchenjunga (8,586 metre) — the world’s third highest mountain, situated in Nepal, becoming the first Pakistani woman to conquer this formidable peak.
This remarkable achievement makes her only the second Muslim woman in history to climb 12 of the planet’s 14 peaks above 8,000 metres, accomplished by 16 women historically.
Naila is not only a mountaineer but a change-maker. She has led environmental campaigns, such as a high-altitude cleanup at K2 , and a recovery mission for Pakistani porter Muhammad Hassan Shigri, bringing closure to his grieving family.
As a mother of two, a former banker, and a passionate advocate for sustainable climbing, Naila defies traditional molds and inspires a new generation of Pakistanis, especially young women, to dream beyond the boundaries placed before them.
Before starting the summit push, through a message to her team, Naila had said, “Climbing Kanchenjunga has been an incredibly difficult expedition and a harsh reminder of how hard it is to climb mountains over 8,000m.” “Kanchenjunga is known for its treacherous terrains and unpredictable weather,” she added.
Living in Dubai and proudly sponsored by the BARD Foundation, Kiani credits both the UAE’s ambitious spirit and her sponsor’s rock-solid belief in her potential as key forces behind her journey.
“The UAE has been more than just my home, it has been the gateway to everything I dared to dream,” said Kiani after the summit. “This is a country that doesn’t just believe in the impossible, it makes it happen.”
“Behind Naila’s extraordinary pursuit of the world’s highest peaks stands a consistent force, the BARD Foundation. Their continued support is not just a partnership, but a commitment to seeing her through to the summit and beyond.”
Abdul Razak Dawood, President – BARD Foundation, praised the historic nature of her achievement.
“What Naila has achieved is historic. Her drive, integrity, and purpose embody the values of the BARD Foundation. We believe in backing talent that breaks barriers, and Naila is the perfect example of what can be accomplished when ambition meets opportunity.”
Naila began her summit push at 5:30pm UAE time on Thursday after a full day of climbing.
Battling through the night in brutal high altitude conditions, facing heavy snowfall, extreme cold, and dangerous terrain, she reached the summit of Kanchenjunga in the early hours of Friday (May 23) .
Her endurance and courage under such conditions reflect not only her personal grit but also the relentless pursuit of excellence fostered by her home in the UAE.
Naila has already summited 11 out of the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000m, including Everest, K2, Broad Peak, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum-I, Gasherbrum-II, Annapurna, Lhotse, Manaslu, Makalu and Cho Oyu.
The 14 Peak Challenge remains one of the greatest tests in mountaineering: only 14 mountains on Earth rise above 8,000 metres, each posing deadly risks and extreme physical demands.
With 12 summits now behind her, Naila is closer than ever to completing this elite challenge.
Born in Pakistan, studied at university in the United Kingdom, and shaped by a decade of life in Dubai, Naila embodies the multidimensional identity of the modern Muslim woman. She is an aerospace engineer, banker, mother of two, competitive boxer, and co founder of the AI startup Aiyah.ai.
In 2023, she was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civilian honour, becoming the first and only sportswoman in the nation’s history to receive the distinction. But her journey transcends borders, sending a global message of what is possible when courage meets opportunity and when belief, both institutional and personal, fuels the climb.
As Naila prepares for the final two 8,000 metre peaks, she stands not only on the edge of mountaineering history but as a symbol of what women, Muslims, and Dubai based athletes can achieve on the world stage.
Earlier, it was reported that Kiani was in Nepal preparing for her next formidable challenge: summiting Kanchenjunga (8,586 metres), the third-highest mountain in the world.
This expedition marks another powerful stride in her mission to become one of the few climbers globally, and among an even more elite group of women, to scale all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres.
A recipient of the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, one of the highest civilian honours, Kiani is a modern symbol of resilience, diversity, and multidimensional success.
An aerospace engineer, competitive boxer, mother of two, and tech entrepreneur of Aiyah.ai, she is also the founder of Naila Kiani Adventures, a travel and expedition company.
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