Pakistani mountaineer Salman Atique has successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest, becoming the 14th Pakistani to conquer the world’s highest peak.
The Islamabad-based climber reached the 8,848-metre summit at 11:49 a.m., Thursday and raised Pakistan’s green and white flag at the top.
Salman was the only Pakistani among the 494 permits issued by the Nepalese government for Everest climbs this year. His latest ascent adds to his mountaineering record, after he climbed Mount Manaslu in Nepal last year.
His summit came on the same day that a record 274 climbers reportedly reached Everest from the Nepalese side, surpassing the previous one-day record of 223 ascents set on May 22, 2019.
Officials said the figure is preliminary and will be confirmed after climbers return and submit evidence, including photographs.
The high number of ascents was linked to the closure of the Tibetan route, as China did not issue climbing permits this year. Climbers instead used Nepal’s southern route, while a delayed spring season caused by dangerous ice conditions created a narrow weather window.
Nepal issued 494 Everest climbing permits this season, with each permit costing $15,000. The large number of climbers has renewed concerns about overcrowding in the “death zone,” where low oxygen levels make long delays especially dangerous.
Authorities have moved toward stricter climbing regulations and higher fees to address safety and environmental concerns.
Salman Atique’s successful ascent adds another proud moment to Pakistan’s mountaineering history.
