Having triumphantly flown Pakistan’s flag atop all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter summits, young Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif has once again expressed his dissatisfaction with the “government’s failure to fulfil repeated promises of support.”
As the youngest Pakistani to climb all 14 eight-thousand meters, the 22-year-old climber posted on his X account, saying, “The government promised me a cash prize several times, but everyone has forgotten.” According to Kashif, the financial benefits have not yet been realized, even though they received national recognition and the Hilal-e-Imtiaz earlier this year.
“My administration made support promises, but they were all forgotten. I still owe money from previous missions and sold my car and land. How can someone who raised Pakistan’s flag on all 14 eight-thousands be treated in this way?
In an effort to get their attention, he also tagged Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In an interview with Geo News, Kashif disclosed that his love of mountaineering had cost him dearly. “I’ve spent nearly 40 million rupees to make my country proud,” he stated.
He started his adventure by climbing the 3,885-meter Makra Peak when he was eleven years old. After reaching the top of Broad Peak, his first eight-thousand-meter peak, he became known as “Broad Boy” and became the youngest person to climb both Everest and K2.
But despite his successes, Kashif said that a risky spinal operation had left him with major health problems. Now I have rods in my back. I have trouble walking, and nobody has even paid for my medical expenses,” he remarked.
He questioned how someone who helped Pakistan gain international prominence could receive such treatment. He questioned, “How can someone who has climbed all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters be treated like this?”
“If this continues,” he stated, “I’ll be forced to consider my future outside the country.”
Kashif has previously acknowledged his disappointment. Even though he achieved records and received international recognition for his mountaineering endeavors, he openly lamented the lack of government assistance in 2022.
According to reports, it cost him about $60,000 to reach the top of Everest alone. However, he claims that years later, promises are still unmet and that the ascent is far from over.
