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  Pakistani mountaineers have achieved a landmark feat by opening a brand-new climbing route on Broad Peak, one of the world’s highest mountains. The accomplishment is being hailed as a major milestone for Pakistan’s mountaineering community, showcasing the country’s growing expertise in high-altitude climbing and technical expedition planning. Broad Peak, standing at 8,051 metres (26,414 feet), is located in the Karakoram mountain range of Gilgit-Baltistan, approximately five miles from K2. Ranked as the world’s 12th-highest mountain, Broad Peak has long attracted climbers from around the globe because of its challenging terrain and unpredictable weather conditions. The newly established route, officially named the Mirza Ali Legacy Route, begins above Camp 3 and offers a fresh approach to the summit. The route was created after an intensive three-day effort that required climbers to navigate deep snow, steep rock faces, and mixed sections of snow and rock under extremely demanding conditions. The expedition was led by renowned Pakistani mountaineer Mirza Ali, founder of Karakorum Expeditions. Along with his team, he spent days fixing ropes and securing the mountain to make the route accessible for future expeditions. Their summit push began at 2:00 a.m. local time on July 19. Battling continuous snowfall, freezing temperatures, and severe weather, the climbers finally reached the summit at 9:55 p.m. after more than 24 hours of nonstop climbing. To establish the route, the team installed over 1,600 metres of fixed rope and placed permanent rock pitons at critical points to improve safety and stability. According to expedition organisers, the new line is shorter, more direct, and significantly safer than the traditional path, which passes through Broad Peak’s hazardous “V Section.” The redesigned route is expected to reduce climbers’ exposure to avalanches and falling rocks, two of the mountain’s most serious risks. Organisers estimate that under normal weather conditions, climbers using the new route should be able to reach the summit from Camp 3 within seven to eight hours and descend in approximately two to three hours, making the ascent both faster and more efficient. The route was unanimously named in honour of Mirza Ali to recognise his 16 years of dedication to Pakistan’s mountaineering sector. Throughout his career, he has trained aspiring climbers, organised national and international expeditions, and promoted Pakistan as a premier destination for adventure tourism. Reflecting on the achievement, Mirza Ali said the successful opening of the route demonstrates the technical capability, determination, and resilience of Pakistani climbers. He also stressed the importance of investing in mountaineering education, safety training, and adventure tourism, highlighting Gilgit-Baltistan’s enormous untapped potential within the mountain economy. International members of the expedition also praised the accomplishment. Argentine climber Juan Toro described the project as a historic milestone for Pakistani mountaineering, while Hungarian climber David Klein called the newly opened path an innovative and technically brilliant route that reflected the team’s exceptional skill and perseverance. The summit team included Mirza Ali, Ahmed Baig, Rizwan Dad, Waqar Ali, Nawaz Ali Khan, Zaman Karim, Juan Toro, and David Klein. To support future expeditions and improve emergency response, the team also recorded all major anchor locations using Garmin inReach GPS technology, ensuring the new route can be safely managed for climbers in the years ahead.

  Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader Ali Khursheedi has called for a transparent investigation into the Mir Raza case, saying that hundreds of similar incidents have taken place in Karachi and that the authorities must take effective steps to address the situation. Speaking to the media in Karachi, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader said that the Mir Raza case was not an isolated incident. He stressed the need for a transparent and impartial inquiry so that the facts could be established and those responsible could be held accountable. “Hundreds of cases like the Mir Raza case have occurred,” Khursheedi said, adding that a transparent investigation would be necessary to determine what had happened. He also questioned the performance of the Sindh government and urged people in Karachi to assess whether the provincial government was actually delivering on its responsibilities. The opposition leader said that the concerns of Karachi’s residents should be taken seriously, particularly in relation to law and order, governance and the protection of citizens. He questioned whether the people of Karachi believed that the provincial government was working effectively for the city. Khursheedi also commented on an incident that recently took place in the Bahadurabad area. He described the incident as unfortunate and said that it was not appropriate. However, he declined to discuss the matter in detail, saying that questions regarding the issue should be directed to the party leadership. “I am a worker, and you should ask the leadership these questions,” he told reporters when asked about the Bahadurabad incident. The MQM leader further expressed frustration over what he described as the continued deterioration of Karachi. He said that the situation had gone too far and that a stop must now be put to the problems facing the city. Khursheedi alleged that Karachi was being systematically damaged through what he described as a “system” of poor governance and mismanagement. He called for an end to practices that, in his view, were contributing to the decline of the city and affecting the daily lives of its residents. The opposition leader’s remarks come amid renewed concerns over security, governance and accountability in Karachi following the Mir Raza case. The incident has attracted attention and prompted demands for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. Khursheedi maintained that the authorities should not treat such cases as isolated incidents. Instead, he called for broader measures to improve law and order and ensure that citizens receive justice when serious incidents occur. He also emphasized the importance of transparency in investigations, particularly in cases that generate public concern. According to him, an impartial investigation could help establish the facts, restore public confidence and ensure accountability. The opposition leader’s criticism also reflects broader political tensions between the Sindh government and opposition parties over the administration of Karachi. Opposition leaders have frequently raised questions about the city’s governance, public services and law-and-order situation. Khursheedi said that Karachi’s residents should ultimately judge the performance of the provincial government based on their everyday experiences. He suggested that the condition of the city itself provides an indication of whether the government is fulfilling its responsibilities. Calling for immediate action, he said that “enough is enough” and that the deterioration of Karachi could not continue indefinitely. He urged authorities to take concrete steps to improve governance, investigate serious cases transparently and prevent further incidents from occurring. The MQM leader’s statements have added to calls for accountability and a transparent investigation into the Mir Raza case, while also highlighting wider concerns about Karachi’s governance and security situation.