ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has assured China of full facilitation for the repatriation of the remains of a Chinese mountaineer who died after an avalanche struck an international climbing expedition on Broad Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The assurance was given by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Friday.
“Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar conveyed condolences on the tragic death of the Chinese mountaineer following an avalanche incident at Broad Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan and assured full facilitation for the repatriation of the deceased’s remains,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The 10-member international expedition was caught in the avalanche while attempting to summit Broad Peak, an 8,000-meter-plus peak in the Karakoram range. The expedition included five Nepalese mountaineers led by renowned climber Nirmal “Nims” Purja, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi of Hunza, Omani mountaineer Nathira, American climber Mallory Geis, Chinese climber Wang and another foreign climber.
Search teams have recovered eight bodies from the mountain, while the remains of American climber Mallory Geis and Nepalese mountaineer Nawang Thindu Sherpa have been located in highly dangerous terrain and have yet to be retrieved.
The avalanche prompted a major search-and-rescue operation involving Pakistani authorities and rescue teams in the challenging high-altitude terrain.
“Ambassador Jiang Zaidong appreciated Pakistan’s prompt assistance and support following the incident,” the statement said.
The two officials also exchanged views on regional developments and other matters of mutual interest.
The Chinese ambassador also extended warm congratulations to Pakistan’s leadership and people on the country’s Independence Day, reaffirming the “close and time-tested ties” between the two countries.