Minister Attaullah Tarar says helicopter has been authorised, coordination being done between G-B Government and FCNA<\/p>\n
Dr Asma Mushtaq. PHOTO: THE ALPINE CLUB OF PAKISTAN\/ INSTAGRAM <\/p>\n
Snowfall at Spantik forced the suspension of efforts to recover the body of Pakistani climber Dr Asma Mushtaq, with the recovery team reaching camp 2 before being advised to return to base camp and wait for a suitable weather window, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said on Sunday.<\/p>\n
According to an earlier statement issued on Friday, the ACP announced that Dr Asma had died during her descent from Spantik after successfully reaching the 7,027-metre summit. The club said, “she had suffered serious high-altitude sickness at around 6,400 metres, which apparently led to her death”.<\/p>\n
In the latest statement, the club said Dr Asma\u2019s body remained at an altitude of about 6,400 metres, while approval for a helicopter \u201cmercy mission\u201d was also being sought on humanitarian grounds with the support of the Pakistan Army.<\/p>\n
In a post on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said high-altitude porters were expected to reach Camp 3 and bring Dr Asma\u2019s body down to Base Camp by Monday. However, the rescue team had reached almost Camp 3 before severe weather, heavy snowfall and strong winds forced it to turn back and return to Camp 2.<\/p>\n
\nUpdate on retrieval of Dr Asma’s body from Spantik Mountain in the Karakoram range:<\/p>\n
High Altitude Porters were expected to reach Camp-3 for retrieval of the body of Dr.Asma and bring it down to base camp by tomorrow.<\/p>\n
The rescue team reached almost near Camp 3, but due to\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/ptpuCOcFQp<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) August 23, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cHeli has been authorised, and coordination has been done between G-B Government and FCNA,\u201d Tarar said. He added that alternative arrangements were also in place and that \u201cWhatever can be done in these circumstances, will be done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tarar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was being kept updated on the situation.<\/p>\n
Earlier, the ACP had said it was seeking approval for a helicopter \u201cmercy mission\u201d on humanitarian grounds, with the support of the Pakistan Army.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recovery operation is being coordinated by Dr Asma\u2019s own expedition company in coordination with all institutions including Tourism Dept, local govt and ACP,\u201d the clubs statement said. It added that the recovery team consisted of \u201cclimbers from different teams\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Alpine Club said the priority remained the \u201csafe and dignified recovery\u201d of Dr Asma\u2019s body and urged people to refrain from spreading misinformation or making unverified claims about the operation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe priority is the safe and dignified recovery of Dr Asma\u2019s body,\u201d it said, adding, \u201cLet it be the priority.”<\/p>\n
The club said the circumstances surrounding Dr Asma\u2019s death, as well as the conduct and response of the expedition company, would be investigated once the teams had safely returned and her body had been recovered.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny necessary action will follow the findings of that investigation,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
The Alpine Club also clarified its role in the recovery operation, saying it was Pakistan\u2019s national federation for mountaineering and sport climbing. \u201cIts mandate is to promote, facilitate, coordinate mountaineering, hiking, other adventure sports and assist govt in policy making for safe mountaineering, training and rescue,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
Read: <\/a><\/strong>Mountaineer’s body recovered on Broad Peak<\/a><\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not itself a rescue organisation with dedicated resources. Search, rescue and other relevant activities depend upon govt resources,\u201d the club added. The club said Pakistan currently lacked \u201ca dedicated, properly established high-altitude rescue system\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working with the relevant authorities to help develop an effective rescue framework and support improvements to the country\u2019s mountaineering infrastructure under the new leadership of the club,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
Dr Asma killed on Spantik<\/strong><\/p>\n
According to an earlier statement issued on Friday, the ACP had announced Dr Asma\u2019s death after she fell ill during her descent from Spantik, a 7,027-metre peak in the Karakoram.<\/p>\n
The club said Dr Asma had \u201csuccessfully reached the summit of Spantik in good health\u201d but suffered \u201ca serious high-altitude sickness\u201d at approximately 6,400 metres during her descent, which \u201capparently took her life\u201d.<\/p>\n
The ACP said it acknowledged \u201cthe courage, dedication and efforts of the support staff who tried to save her life\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe President, Secretary General and entire team of ACP extend their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and loved ones of Mrs Asma Mushtaq,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
The club prayed that Allah would \u201cgrant her eternal peace\u201d and give her family \u201cstrength and patience to bear this irreparable loss\u201d.<\/p>\n