23/07/2026
Alpine Club of Pakistan Honors Austrian Mountaineer Lukas Woerle for Heroic Rescue on Broad Peak
Under the patronage of Maj. Gen. Irfan Arshad, HI(M), President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), the Alpine Club of Pakistan organized a special ceremony at its headquarters in Islamabad to honor renowned Austrian mountaineer Mr. Lukas Woerle for his extraordinary courage, selflessness, and exemplary mountaineering ethics during the Broad Peak (8,047m) expedition in July 2023.
The ceremony was graced by His Excellency Mr. Wolfgang Oliver Kutschera, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Pakistan, as the Chief Guest. Among the distinguished guests were Mr. Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, Secretary, Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC), the Director General, Pakistan Sports Board, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic community, renowned mountaineers, climbers, and media representatives.
During his summit push on Broad Peak in July 2023, Mr. Lukas Woerle made the remarkable decision to abandon his summit attempt after finding Pakistani High Altitude Porter Mr. Murtaza in critical condition on the summit ridge. Demonstrating exceptional courage and humanity, Mr. Woerle, with the assistance of American climber Mr. Dan Buonome, successfully rescued Mr. Murtaza and safely brought him down to Camp 3. His actions reflected the highest ideals of mountaineering by placing human life above personal achievement.
Addressing the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Irfan Arshad, HI(M), President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, paid tribute to Mr. Woerle's extraordinary bravery and compassion, stating that his selfless act represents the true spirit of mountaineering and serves as an inspiration to climbers around the world. He emphasized that such acts of humanity strengthen the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Austria and promote the ethical values that define the international mountaineering community.
Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Mr. Wolfgang Oliver Kutschera commended the Alpine Club of Pakistan for recognizing an act of exceptional courage and praised Mr. Woerle for his humanitarian spirit and unwavering commitment to saving a fellow mountaineer.
As a mark of appreciation, Maj. Gen. Irfan Arshad, HI(M), President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, presented a commemorative shield and a Certificate of Honor to Mr. Lukas Woerle in recognition of his outstanding bravery, selfless sacrifice, and invaluable contribution in saving the life of a Pakistani High Altitude Porter.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to promoting responsible, ethical, and humanitarian values in mountaineering and acknowledged that acts of courage and compassion such as those demonstrated by Mr. Lukas Woerle continue to inspire the global mountaineering community.