Ukrainian climber released from detention days after record-breaking Everest ascent
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Arab News
5 days ago
- Arab News
India to resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens
HONG KONG: India will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens from July 24 this year, its embassy in China said on Wednesday, the first time in five years as both countries move to repair their rocky relationship. Tensions between the two countries escalated following a 2020 military clash along their disputed Himalayan border. In response, India imposed restrictions on Chinese investments, banned hundreds of popular Chinese apps and cut passenger routes. China suspended visas to Indian citizens and other foreigners around the same time due to the COVID-19 pandemic but lifted those restrictions in 2022, when it resumed issuing visas for students and business travelers. Tourist visas for Indian nationals remained restricted until March this year, when both countries agreed to resume direct air service. Relations have gradually improved, with several high-level meetings taking place last year, including talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Russia in October. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that Beijing had noted the positive move. 'China is ready to maintain communication and consultation with India and constantly improve the level of personal exchanges between the two countries,' he said. India and China share a 3,800 km (2,400-mile) border that has been disputed since the 1950s. The two countries fought a brief but brutal border war in 1962 and negotiations to settle the dispute have made slow progress. In July, India's foreign minister told his Chinese counterpart that both countries must resolve border friction, pull back troops and avoid 'restrictive trade measures' to normalize their relationship.
Arab News
20-07-2025
- Arab News
Pakistani climber killed, foreigner injured in K2 avalanche
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani climber named Iftikhar Hussain was killed this week and a foreigner sustained injuries after an avalanche struck Camp 1 at K2, the world's second-highest peak, state-run media reported. The incident took place on Friday when the camp was struck by an avalanche at approximately 2:30 pm, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a report, citing a press release from the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) on Saturday. The state media said that the avalanche occurred around 500 meters above the base camp, catching four climbers in its path. Two managed to return safely to the Advance Base Camp, while the foreign climber suffered minor injuries. 'Local climber Iftikhar Hussain, a resident of Sadpara, Skardu, lost his life in the incident,' APP reported on Saturday. 'His body was recovered and brought down to the base camp.' Standing at 8,611 meters (28,251 feet) on the Pakistan-China border, K2 is 238 meters shorter than Everest but is considered technically more challenging— earning it the nickname 'Savage Mountain.' Following the incident, the expedition outfitter submitted a formal request to Major General Irfan Arshad, the president of the ACP and Askari Aviation, for a mercy helicopter operation to repatriate the deceased. The request was approved on humanitarian grounds, after which Hussain's body was airlifted to Skardu in northern Pakistan. Pakistan's northern Gilgit-Baltistan region is home to some of the tallest peaks in the world and a major tourist destination. Thousands of tourists and foreign climbers visit the region each year for expeditions on various peaks, paragliding and other sports activities. Pakistan has produced several professional climbers, both men and women, who have summited some of the world's tallest peaks in recent years.
Arab News
10-07-2025
- Arab News
PM invites Qatari climber, Pakistan's new tourism ambassador, to return for future expeditions
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday invited Qatari mountaineer Sheikha Asma Al Thani, recently appointed as Pakistan's brand ambassador for mountain and adventure tourism, to return to the country for future expeditions. Al Thani, who became the first woman from Qatar and the Gulf to summit Nanga Parbat earlier this month, met the prime minister in Islamabad where he praised her courage and her contributions to global awareness of Pakistan's natural beauty. 'The prime minister congratulated her for being the first woman from Qatar and the Gulf to successfully summit Nanga Parbat,' the PM Office said in a statement. 'He appreciated Sheikha Asma's extraordinary courage and commitment in achieving this milestone and praised her efforts to promote awareness around empowering women, especially young women, through adventure sports.' The prime minister noted that five of the world's fourteen highest peaks are in Pakistan, calling it a 'matter of pride' that positions the country as a key destination for climbers worldwide. He also thanked Al Thani for selecting Pakistan's mountains and 'drawing international attention to their challenges and natural beauty.' 'He extended best wishes to Sheikha Asma in her mission to summit all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks and invited her to return to Pakistan to further explore the country's diverse and breathtaking landscapes.' The prime minister acknowledged the vital contribution of Pakistani porters and guides in enabling international climbers to pursue their goals, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring their safety, support and hospitality. He also expressed interest in strengthening Pakistan-Qatar cooperation in areas such as sports, youth engagement and adventure tourism. 'The prime minister appreciated Sheikha Asma's active role as Vice President of the Gender Equality Commission in creating equal opportunities,' the statement said. During the meeting, Al Thani expressed gratitude for the hospitality she received during her climbs, and praised the local porters and guides who assisted her on Nanga Parbat and other summits. She also highlighted the experience of climbing K2, which she had summited previously. 'It is the best of all the peaks I've climbed,' she was quoted as saying in the statement. 'Its beauty is unmatched.'
