Pakistan’s pride and mountaineering icon, Naila Kiani, has successfully summarized Kanchenjunga (8,586 m) – the world’s third highest mountain that has become the first Pakistani woman to conquer this formidable top.

With this milestone, Naila is now among an elite group of global mountaineers, after scaling 12 out of the world’s 14 highest peaks over 8,000 meters, and continues its unprecedented journey with defying borders.

With only two summits left, she is closer to becoming one of only 17 women in the world who have conquered all 14 of the planet’s 8,000 meters of giants.

Naila is not only a climber but a change producer. She has led environmental campaigns, such as a high height clean -up at K2, and a recovery mission for Pakistani porter Muhammad Hassan Shigri, who brings closing to her grieving family.

As the mother of two, a former banker and a passionate spokesman for sustainable climbing, Naila Kiani trousers traditional shapes and inspires a new generation of Pakistanis, especially young women, to dream beyond the boundaries placed in front of them.

Naila Kiani’s rise in the mountaineering is as inspiring as it is unprecedented. From her first successful summit in Gasherbrum II – achieved, while she balanced a demanding career in funding and responsibility for motherhood – to conquer giants such as Everest, K2, Lhotse, Annapurna in and Makalu, she has consistently defied the odds and broken barriers.

In almost three years, she became the first Pakistani woman for the Summit 11 in the world’s tallest peaks over 8,000 meters. These include K2 (8.611m), known as Savage Mountain and Pakistan’s highest top; Everest (8,848 m), the highest top in the world; Lhotse (8.516m); Makalu (8,485 m); Annapurna in (8.091m); as well as Broad Peak, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Gasherbrum I and II and Nanga Parbat.

In 2023 alone, she achieved the extraordinary achievement by summing seven 8,000 meters of peaks within only six months and placing her in the company of only a handful of climbers around the world for achieving such a milestone in a single climbing season.

Behind Naila’s extraordinary persecution of the world’s tallest peaks stands a consistent strength – the Bard Foundation. Their continued support is not only a partnership, but a commitment to see her through to the summit and beyond.

Mehreen Dawood, Member – Board of Governors, shared: “Naila represents the very spirit we aim to care for at Bard: Resilience, Courage and the Unwavering Persecution of Excellent. Her summits are not just personal victories – they are milestones for all Pakistani women. We are proud to support her journey and amplify the influence she continues to make global.”

Abdul Razak Dawood, President – Bard Foundation said: “What Naila has achieved is historic. Her driving force, integrity and

Now, with only two 8,000 meters of tops back to the summit-Cho OYU and Shishapangma-are Naila within a marked distance to end all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, a dream that few have dared to hunt and even fewer have achieved.