Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan — Karim Shah Nizari, a pioneering figure in Pakistan’s adventure sports and an outspoken voice for the mountains, passed away today, reportedly due to a heart attack. He was 39.
Born in 1986 in the Yasin Valley of Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan, Nizari’s life was defined by his deep connection to the mountains and his unrelenting drive to open new horizons for climbers and students alike.
From Yasin Valley to Pakistan’s top institutions
Nizari completed his schooling at the prestigious Aga Khan Higher Secondary School in Gilgit before moving to Islamabad to attend Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), the country’s leading academic institution. It was at QAU that his childhood passion for adventure truly flourished.
A natural athlete, Nizari became the pioneer champion of the university’s rock climbing team, earning admiration for his exceptional speed climbs on the Shadara climbing wall in the Margalla Hills. He also represented the Higher Education Commission (HEC) as a rock climber in Pakistan’s National Games, while playing for QAU as a skier.
Architect of adventure culture at QAU
At QAU, Nizari was instrumental in establishing the university’s Adventure Club. He organized mountaineering seminars that brought global figures such as Nazir Sabir, the first Pakistani to summit Everest, and Italian winter climber Daniele Nardi — who later perished on Nanga Parbat — to inspire young adventurers. During Nardi’s ill-fated expedition, Nizari played a critical role in the rescue efforts.
Beyond the seminar halls, he explored unmarked trails behind the university, often described by peers as wandering the Margalla Hills “like a dervish.” He established routes at Saidpur and Legacy climbing areas, leaving a legacy as one of Islamabad’s earliest rock climbing pioneers.
A climber, rescuer, and guide
Nizari’s mountaineering pursuits extended far beyond Islamabad. He participated in several high-profile rescue operations in the Karakoram, including the dramatic 2021 mission on Rakaposhi when Pakistani climber Wajid Nagri was trapped. His intimate knowledge of the terrains of the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Raj made him a trusted partner for both local and international climbers.
He explored numerous passes in the Pamir and Hindu Raj ranges, documenting untrodden routes and sharing stories that combined adventure with cultural memory. Internationally, he was regarded as a reliable focal point for expeditions, working with renowned climbers such as Denis Urubko on collaborative projects.
Beyond the mountains: activism and writing
Karim Shah Nizari’s impact was not limited to climbing. At QAU, he was an active member of the Gilgit-Baltistan Student Council, guiding new students both in academics and social life. His activism extended into environmentalism, where he became a passionate voice against the destructive impacts of climate change on the fragile mountain ecosystems of the north.
Through essays and field reports, Nizari frequently contributed to Karakoram Journal, blending mountaineering insights with urgent calls for climate awareness. His ability to merge local wisdom with global environmental discourse earned him recognition as one of Pakistan’s most grounded and ingenious mountain activists.
A lasting legacy
Friends and colleagues remember Nizari not only for his climbs and rescues but for his humility and generosity. “He carried the spirit of the mountains with him,” one fellow climber remarked, “a man who lived simply, gave freely, and always led others upwards.”
As the climbing community and his home valley mourn his untimely passing, Karim Shah Nizari leaves behind a legacy written in rock, snow, and ink — one that future generations of Pakistani climbers, students, and activists will continue to draw inspiration from.
Rest in peace, Nizari. May the goddesses of the mountains protect you in the eternal life.
Contributed by his climbing and university fellow, M Ajmal K. Masood
Allah maghfirt frmaye Ameen.
But the last line triggered .
Goddesses of mountains?