Renowned mountaineer Sajid Ali Sadpara summi­ted the world’s fifth-highest peak, Mount Makalu (8,485m) in Nepal, without supplementary oxygen, the exp­e­­dition’s organisers said on Sunday.

Sadpara is on a mission to summit all 14 “eight-thousanders” in the world without supplemental oxygen, and this marks his 10th summit of that mission.

According to a statement issued by Seven Summit Treks, the expedition team Sadpara was part of, an excellent summit push at 5am on May 2 successfully reached the summit of Makalu.

The statement added a team of three members, including Sadpara from Pakistan and Johannss Lau, with seven sherpas, stood on the summit, marking a remarkable achievement on the technically demanding peak.

“We wish them a safe and smooth descent back to base camp,” Seven Summit Treks added.

Sadpara had arrived in Nepal on April 4 for the mission and reached Makalu base camp on April 16. The expedition team completed their summit rotation at Makalu on April 25.

Sadpara is the proud son of the legendary Muhammad Ali Sadpara, who tragically lost his life during a winter ascent of K2 in 2021. Carrying his father’s legacy with honour, Sajid has emerged as a powerful symbol of Pakistani mountaineering strength and global excellence.

Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) President Irfan Arshad, renowned climbers, and civil society members congratulated Sadpara on his remarkable and successful summit of Makalu.

In a statement, Arshad extended heartfelt felicitations to Sadpara on achieving the feat, terming it a moment of great pride for the nation.

The statement noted that summiting one of the world’s most technically challenging peaks reflected Sadpara’s courage, determination, and exceptional mountaineering skills.

“This outstanding achievement is not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for the entire Pakistani mountaineering community,” it added.

The ACP president lauded Sadpara’s perseverance and dedication, saying his accomplishment would inspire young climbers across the country and further strengthen Pakistan’s presence on the global mountaineering stage.

ACP Vice President Karrar Haidri also congratulated Sadpara, noting, “At just 29 years old, Sajid has displayed remarkable endurance, resilience, and dedication to high-altitude mountaineering.”

Speaking to Dawn before beginning his summit, Sadpara had said he would attempt to climb the peak without supplemental oxygen.

Sadpara has made a name for himself in the alpine community with his summits of the most daunting peaks at a young age.

He has already summited nine of the world’s peaks above 8,000m, including Everest, K2, Nanga Parbat, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum-I, Gasherbrum-II, and Dhaulagiri. He has also taken part in rescue operations at several peaks, including K2.

He has climbed K2 twice; once without supplemental oxygen. He also set records when he summited both Gasherbrum-I and Gasherbrum-II peaks in three days and 18 hours without supplementary oxygen.

In February 2021, his father Muhammad Ali Sadpara, Iceland’s John Snorri and Chile’s Juan Pablo Mohr went missing while attempting to summit the K2 during the winter season. Their bodies were found in July, nearly five months after they went missing.

• KKH, Astore valley road temporarily blocked
• Heavy rain, thunderstorms also expected in KP

GILGIT: Intermittent rain across Gilgit-Balti­stan on Saturday triggered landslides and road blockages, while the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a fresh alert warning of glacial lake outburst floods (Glof) in the region due to an approaching westerly weather system.

The blocked roads included the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and the Astore valley road, which were later reopened for traffic after debris was cleared.

According to police, scattered rain was recorded across the region on Friday and Saturday. In Hunza’s Murtazabad area, rain-induced flooding temporarily blocked the KKH, but traffic was restored after clearance operations.

Landslides and falling debris also blocked the Astore valley road at multiple locations, after which the Gilgit-Baltistan Com­munication and Works Department deployed machinery to clear the road. Police later confirmed that traffic on the route was restored.

Rainfall also caused landslides in various remote areas, disrupting access to several link roads.

Meanwhile, the Pak­istan Meteorological Dep­artment (PMD) on Sat­urday issued an alert for glacial lake outburst floods (Glof) in the upper regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, due to an expected westerly weather system this weekend.

A Glof refers to the sudden release of water and debris from a glacial lake, which can result in loss of lives, property and livelihoods in mountainous communities. According to the Ministry of Climate Change, more than 7.1 million people in GB and KP are vulnerable to the phenomenon.

In its alert, the Met Office said a moderate westerly wave is likely to enter the upper parts of the country from Sunday.

“During this period, widespread rain, wind and thunderstorms, with isolated heavy falls, are anticipated across Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” it said.

The PMD warned that a sudden rise in temperatures followed by precipitation “significantly elevates” the risk of Glofs, debris flow and flash flooding in vulnerable areas, including Hoper, Ghulkin, Shishper, Yasin, Phander, Badswat, lower Hunza, Nagar, Ghanche, Shigar, Swat, upper Chitral, Dir and Astore.

Residents in glaciated valleys have been advised to avoid riverbanks and stream beds during rainfall and to move livestock and essential belongings to higher, safer ground. Authorities also urged the public to share alerts via SMS and social media.

The PMD also advised residents to monitor local nullahs for sudden changes in water colour or unusual sounds that could indicate incoming debris flows. It urged close coordination with Community-Based Disaster Risk Management Committees.

Disaster management authorities have been directed to remain on high alert and maintain communication with technical focal persons in remote valleys.

Pakistan is home to over 13,000 glaciers — the largest concentration outside the polar regions — but experts warn that many are receding due to rising temperatures linked to climate change.

In February, the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of the NDMA issued an advisory warning of elevated Glof risks between March and September 2026 due to rising temperatures and changing weather patterns.

Last summer, rapidly melting glaciers, Glofs and cloudbursts caused significant damage in Gilgit-Baltistan. Experts say residents, particularly those living downstream of rivers and glacial lakes, face serious risks this summer.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2026