ISLAMABAD: In a historic achievement, Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif became the youngest in the country to summit all 14 eight-thousanders after summiting the Shishapangma — the peak stands at 8,027 meters — earlier today.
Shehroze, famously known as the “Broad Boy,” also became the second Pakistani to achieve this milestone after Sirbaz Khan, who recently scaled all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters after summiting the same Shishapangma, located in Tibet, China.
Kashif, 22, began their journey to list as the youngest Pakistani mountaineer in 2019, when at the age of 17, he successfully ascended Broad Peak, standing at 8,047 meters which made him an international sensation.
It didn’t stop there, as Kashif summits iconic peaks including Mount Everest, Manaslu, and K2 in 2021. Following these summits, he registered himself as the ‘Guinness World Record’ holder for being the youngest to climb K2 and Broad Peak.
His impressive streak continued in 2022 when Kashif became the youngest in the world and the first Pakistani to reach the summit of Kangchenjunga – the third-highest peak in the world. He further climbed Lhotse, Makalu, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II in the same year.
Last year, he further showcased his mountaineering prowess by conquering Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Cho Oyu.
It is worth mentioning that, he would have become the youngest climber in the world to complete summiting all 14 eight-thousanders last year but failed to summit Shishapangma due to an accident.
Shehroze Kashif said, “I knew it would be incredibly difficult, and the risk of losing my life was real. But I kept focusing on one thought—what if I succeeded? With strong faith in Allah, I found the strength to push through. Now, standing here, I realize that this achievement is not just about conquering mountains; it’s about conquering fears, doubts, and limitations. For me, it’s nothing short of a miracle.”
The Bilquis and Abdul Razak Dawood (BARD) Foundation supported Kashif’s journey to becoming the youngest mountaineer sensation in the country.
Abdul Razak Dawood, the pillar of The Bilquis and Abdul Razak Dawood (BARD) Foundation, shared his heartfelt emotions, saying, “I am truly at a loss for words to describe my happiness today. I always believed in the extraordinary potential of this young man, and today, he has surpassed all expectations, making the entire nation proud. There’s no greater feeling than witnessing the name of Pakistan’s youth celebrated at a global level.”
“Shehroze is a true inspiration for the younger generation, and we are incredibly proud to support him. Our foundation is always ready to back talented individuals across the country because, for us, Pakistan’s image on the global stage is of utmost importance. It’s the young and gifted generation that can truly understand our mission and uplift our nation to new heights,” says Mehreen Dawood.
