The rescue operation to recover Pakistani climber Dr Asma Mushtaq’s body from Gilgit-Baltistan’s Spantik peak has entered a critical stage.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the rescue personnel had reached the suspected location.
However, he explained that the vast area and heavy snowfall over the past two days had completely covered the body, making the search considerably more difficult. He said efforts to locate and recover the body were continuing.
Dr Asma Mushtaq died on August 20 after experiencing a severe high-altitude medical emergency while descending from Spantik Mountain, which stands 7,027 metres above sea level in the Karakoram range, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan.
The recovery mission had earlier been halted when heavy snow and strong winds forced the rescue team to retreat while it was making its way towards Camp 3. The operation resumed after weather conditions improved.
Tarar said the rescue team had once again left Base Camp and was advancing towards Camp 2, adding that the personnel were moving cautiously and would continue as weather conditions allowed.
The minister had previously said high-altitude porters were expected to reach Camp 3, recover Mushtaq’s body and transport it to Base Camp. The deteriorating weather, however, prevented the team from completing that phase of the mission.
A helicopter has also been cleared to support the recovery effort, with the Gilgit-Baltistan government coordinating with the Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA).
Tarar said contingency arrangements were also being maintained and that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was receiving regular updates on the operation.
