Dubai: Naila Kiani, a high-altitude mountaineer from Dubai, has achieved yet another historic milestone by successfully summiting Makalu, the fifth highest peak in the world, and her 11th 8,000-metre mountain, yesterday.
Having lived in Dubai for nine years, Kiani is believed to be the first-ever Pakistani woman to climb 11 of the world’s 14 highest peaks above 8,000 metres.
Her final summit push of Makalu took place last night. The mountain has an elevation of 8,485 metres (27,838 ft).
Kiani is also believed to be the fastest Pakistani mountaineer, in both the men’s and women’s category, as she scaled a;; these heights in just under three years. In recognition of her accomplishments, she was recently honoured with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, the highest civilian honour bestowed upon any female athlete in Pakistan.
In 2023, Kiani made news by scaling seven out of 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in six months, a feat achieved by only 10 mountaineers worldwide.
In addition to her mountaineering achievements, Kiani’s diverse talents and dedication have garnered admiration worldwide. With a background in Aerospace Engineering from the University of London and her previous role as associate vice-president at an international bank, she is also a competitive boxer and a mother of two young children.
Kiani believes Dubai is a “Land of Opportunities”, providing her with the ideal environment to pursue her passion, amidst the city’s vibrant culture and supportive community. She says she is extremely grateful to have found the resources and support needed to embark on her journey.
