ISLAMABAD – The operation to recover the body of Pakistani mountaineer Asma Mushtaq from Spantik Mountain has been temporarily suspended due to heavy snowfall and strong winds, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday.
In a post on X, Tarar said high-altitude porters were scheduled to reach Camp 3, retrieve Mushtaq’s body and bring it down to Base Camp by Monday. However, deteriorating weather forced the recovery team to turn back to Camp 2 after reaching near Camp 3.
Tarar said a helicopter had been authorised for the recovery operation, while the Gilgit-Baltistan government and Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA) were coordinating the effort.
“Whatever can be done in these circumstances, will be done,” the minister said, adding that alternative arrangements were also being kept in place.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was being regularly briefed on the situation.
ACP update
The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said Mushtaq’s body was located at an altitude of around 6,400 metres, while the recovery team had reached Camp 2 before heavy snowfall forced a halt to the operation.
The team was advised to return to Base Camp and wait for a suitable weather window, the ACP said.
The recovery effort is being coordinated by Mushtaq’s expedition company in collaboration with the Tourism Department, local government and the ACP. Climbers from several teams are also participating in the recovery mission.
The ACP said the circumstances surrounding Mushtaq’s death, along with the conduct and response of the expedition company, would be investigated after the teams safely descend and her body is recovered.
“Any necessary action will follow the findings of that investigation,” the club said.
