What do you do to fill your days? My days are divided into two main parts: one is physical and psychological training to strengthen myself. The other part is working online to prepare for upcoming expeditions and training camps, updating my social media platforms, and connecting to the right organizations for building partnerships. The weekends are my time to have fun with my nephew and niece.
How did you get started in adventuring? Curiosity and many unanswered ‘whys’ led me to adventure sports: why aren’t girls allowed to play outside? Why can only boys go to the gym? Why do I only see white men on our mountains (in Pakistan)? While growing up, I was so tired of listening to society, tired of being a weak woman, and tired of facing violence. So, when I encountered adventure sports, it was the first time I felt strong and free; it helped me to know about myself and my strengths, which I never knew before.
What barriers have you faced in mountaineering? When I started my journey of mountain sports with a naive and innocent mind, not knowing the tricks of the trade, it brought many individuals in my way who took advantage of it, charging extra money, creating uncomfortable situations in camp, and running hate campaigns online. Many sports officials closed the doors on me and then began to speak against me when I started learning and achieving milestones on my own. I kept training myself mentally more than physically and started connecting to women in mountain communities to level the playing field.
Tell us about a time in the outdoors that solidified your love and desire for mountaineering. For me, it wasn’t a single moment but multiple instances of feeling immense freedom, strength, and pure bliss that made me realize that mountains are where I become the best version of myself, where I can learn and express myself, and where I belong.
Tell us about a person who inspires you. It’s always my future self that inspires me to do more and become better. I remember there was no local example to look up to when I started adventure sports, and I used to visualize myself in expeditions I wanted to experience and that strength that I wanted to have.
Tell us about your biggest mountaineering ambition or dream! The Explorer’s Grand Slam, which means climbing all the Seven Summits and reaching the North and South Poles.
