Pakistani mountaineer Asma Mushtaq, 34, has died after suffering a serious high-altitude medical emergency while descending Spantik Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Karakoram range.
According to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), Mushtaq had successfully reached the 7,027-metre summit of Spantik and was in good health at the time. The emergency occurred during her descent at an altitude of approximately 6,400 metres, or around 21,000 feet.
Her mountain guide, Akbar Ali, and expedition guide Muhammad Amin immediately responded and provided assistance under extremely difficult high-altitude conditions. Despite their efforts, Mushtaq could not survive.
High-altitude emergencies can become life-threatening because the amount of available oxygen decreases significantly at extreme elevations. Conditions associated with severe altitude exposure can affect the lungs or brain and may deteriorate rapidly.
Mushtaq’s death has deeply affected Pakistan’s mountaineering community, particularly because she had successfully completed the demanding ascent before the medical emergency occurred during the descent.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan expressed profound grief over her death. ACP President Maj Gen (retd) Irfan Arshad Khan and members of the organization extended their condolences to her family, friends and fellow mountaineers.
ACP Senior Vice President Karrar Haidri also paid tribute to the guides who stayed with Mushtaq and attempted to help her despite the challenging conditions. He expressed sympathy for her loved ones and prayed for strength and patience for her family.
Mushtaq was part of a five-member Pakistani women’s expedition that successfully summited Spantik. The team also included Zoni Aslam, Zaba Shigri, Shama and Sohana.
The expedition represented another notable achievement for Pakistani women in mountaineering, with the team reaching the summit of the 7,027-metre peak in the Karakoram.
Karakoram Calling Treks said mountain guide Akbar Ali and another guide provided immediate assistance following the incident. The company said the guides made every possible effort to help Mushtaq and keep her safe despite the extreme environment.
Pakistani mountaineer Shehroze Kashif also acknowledged the efforts and courage of the guides who remained with Mushtaq during the emergency.
The company was reportedly coordinating with relevant authorities and Mushtaq’s family regarding the necessary arrangements following her death.
Doctor and Passionate Mountaineer
Mushtaq was originally from Lahore and worked as a doctor in Britain, where she specialized in obstetrics and gynaecology. Alongside her medical career, she developed a strong interest in travel, mountaineering and documenting her adventures.
She regularly shared her expeditions and travel experiences on social media, combining her professional life with a passion for high-altitude climbing.
Among her previous achievements was a winter ascent of the 4,076-metre Musa ka Musallah peak. She was also associated with expeditions involving Rupal and Arandu.
In a 2024 post seeking sponsorship for a K2 expedition, Mushtaq described herself as a doctor and mountaineer, reflecting the two major pursuits that shaped her life.
Her death is a painful loss for Pakistan’s mountaineering community and for those who knew her through her medical work and expeditions. Her successful ascent of Spantik before the fatal emergency also underscores the unpredictable risks associated with climbing at extreme altitude.
Mushtaq’s journey from medicine to high-altitude mountaineering had made her a distinctive figure among Pakistani climbers. Her achievements and passion for adventure will remain part of the country’s growing mountaineering story.
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