09/08/2026
Candlelight Vigil Held in Islamabad by Gilgit-Baltistan Civil Society in Memory of Broad Peak Climbers
ISLAMABAD: A candlelight vigil and prayer service were held in Islamabad on Saturday evening to honor the memory of Pakistani and international climbers who lost their lives in a tragic avalanche on Broad Peak.
Organized by the Gilgit-Baltistan Civil Society, the ceremony was attended by a large number of youth from Gilgit-Baltistan, individuals associated with mountaineering and tourism, civil society representatives, families of the deceased climbers, and residents of Islamabad. Attendees paid tribute to the fallen mountaineers and expressed solidarity with their grieving families.
The event was attended by the Ambassador of Nepal, renowned Pakistani mountaineers Nazir Sabir and Ashraf Aman, along with prominent figures from mountaineering, tourism, and civil society, including Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Member Sadia Danish and CEO of Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority Zaim Zia.
Participants lit candles and observed a one-minute silence in memory of the deceased. Special prayers (Dua-e-Maghfirat) were offered for the departed souls, while speakers praised the courage, resolve, and spirit of the climbers.
The ceremony was held to honor the 10-member international climbing team that went missing on July 30 after being hit by a massive avalanche between Camp II and Camp III on Broad Peak.
The deceased included Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, renowned Nepalese climber Nirmal Purja, American climber Mallory Geis, Omani climber Nadhira Al Harthy, Chinese climber Wang Zhong, and five Nepalese climbers: Poor Bahadur Gurung, Kili Pemba Sherpa, Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thundu Sherpa, and Gyalu Sherpa.
Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador of Nepal expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic loss of the climbers and paid rich tribute to them. He remarked that their passion, determination, and dedication to mountaineering serve as a guiding light for climbers worldwide.
Renowned Pakistani climbers Nazir Sabir and Ashraf Aman also paid tribute to the deceased, praising their contributions and lifelong commitment to mountaineering.
Participants emphasized the need to enhance safety measures for high-altitude mountaineering expeditions in Pakistan, improve rescue and emergency response systems, and strengthen coordination among expedition teams and relevant authorities.
Representatives of the Gilgit-Baltistan Civil Society stated that this event was not merely an expression of grief and mourning, but an effort to celebrate the lives, passion, and contributions of these brave mountaineers. They added that the memory of the deceased climbers will live on forever and their spirit of adventure will continue to inspire future generations.
The ceremony concluded with a collective prayer for the departed climbers and a shared pledge to always remember their contributions.
