Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Tuesday that the operation to retrieve the body of Pakistani mountaineer Asma Mushtaq from Spantik Mountain has recommenced following an improvement in weather conditions. The rescue team has departed from Base Camp and is advancing towards Camp 2 with caution, continuing the mission as weather permits, while hopes remain high for the team’s safety and success.
The recovery effort had been suspended earlier due to heavy snowfall and strong winds, which forced the team to retreat while nearing Camp 3. Just a day prior, it was anticipated that high-altitude porters would reach Camp 3, recover Mushtaq’s body, and bring it down to Base Camp. However, deteriorating weather halted progress.
In a significant development, a helicopter has been authorized to assist the retrieval operation. Coordination has been established between the Gilgit-Baltistan government and the Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA) to support the mission. Alternative plans are also in place, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is being kept informed of the situation.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) reported that Mushtaq’s body remains at approximately 6,400 metres elevation. The recovery team had reached Camp 2 before the operation was paused due to severe snowfall. Following safety advice, the team returned to Base Camp to await better weather conditions.
This recovery mission is being managed collaboratively by Mushtaq’s expedition company, the Tourism Department, local government authorities, and the ACP. Climbers from various teams are also participating in the effort. The ACP stated that once the teams are safely back and Mushtaq’s body recovered, a thorough investigation will be conducted into the circumstances surrounding her death and the expedition company’s response. Any necessary measures will be taken based on the investigation’s findings.
Mushtaq passed away after experiencing a serious high-altitude medical emergency during her descent from Spantik Mountain, which stands 7,027 metres tall in the Karakoram range. She had successfully reached the summit in good health but suffered the emergency at around 6,400 metres while descending. Her mountain guide Akbar Ali and another guide immediately provided aid and support, making every possible effort to save her under extremely challenging conditions.
The ACP extended condolences to Mushtaq’s family, friends, and the broader mountaineering community. Originally from Lahore, Mushtaq worked in Britain as an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist. Beyond her medical career, she was a passionate traveller, vlogger, and mountaineer who shared her expeditions on social media.
