KARACHI: Fourteen-year-old Malaika Khalji from Balochistan has made history by successfully climbing Khushal Gang (6,040 metres), becoming the youngest girl from the province to summit one of Pakistan’s highest peaks.
Her achievement comes after overcoming family reservations, limited opportunities, and the physical demands of mountaineering, marking a significant milestone for young female athletes from Balochistan.
From Quetta to the Summit
Speaking on ARY News’ Ba Khabar Savera program, Malaika said she had always been passionate about sports but lacked opportunities while growing up.
She said she decided to pursue mountaineering when the opportunity arose, despite initially facing resistance from her family.
Scholarship Opened the Door
Malaika received professional training through a scholarship jointly provided by the Alpine Club of Pakistan and the Balochistan Institute for Tourism, Hospitality and Culture Management (BITHCM).
She said her brother encouraged her ambitions and helped convince their parents to allow her to take part in mountaineering.
Challenging Climb
Before attempting Khushal Gang, Malaika trained on mountains around Quetta, though she had limited experience in technical climbing.
She said the most difficult part of the expedition came at around 3 a.m., when the team had to climb a steep ice wall during the final ascent.
According to Malaika, exhaustion almost forced her to abandon the climb, but encouragement from her guide motivated her to continue and complete the ascent successfully.
Inspiring Other Girls
Malaika said she hopes to continue representing Pakistan in mountaineering and wants to inspire more girls to pursue their dreams despite social and cultural barriers.
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