The first Pakistani woman Samina Baig to climb Mount Everest says, she wants her achievement to stand as an inspiration to all the women of her troubled country that they can achieve their dreams.Samina Baig last month became the first woman from the South Asian country to reach the 8,848 metre summit of the world's tallest mountain, after a gruelling expedition in rough weather.She told a news agency in an interview at her Islamabad home that as she unfurled the green and white Pakistani flag on the peak, tears of joy and pride rolled down her cheeks.The 22-year-old said that as she stood with the world at her feet, her mind turned to the millions of women back home denied opportunities because of their gender in Pakistan's conservative, patriarchal society.Human rights groups say, Pakistani women suffer severe discrimination, domestic violence and so-called "honour" killings — when a victim is murdered for allegedly bringing dishonour upon her family.They say, women have borne the brunt of rising Islamist extremism in Pakistan, where the Taliban threaten parts of the northwest.In October the Taliban tried to murder schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai in the northwestern area of Swat for the "crime" of campaigning for the right of young women to get an education.The Everest climb was not Samina Baig's first significant achievement. After taking up climbing just three years ago she became the first person to reach the summit of the 6,400-metre Chashkin Sar peak in northern Pakistan in 2010.
News On AIR | June 7, 2013 9:02 AM
First Pak woman to climb Everest wants feat to inspire women in country