Islamabad - Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) - national mountaineering and climbing federation - celebrated the ‘International Mountain Day’ Thursday by holding a hike competition for the schoolchildren here at the Trail-3 of the Margalla Hills.
A total of 400 boys and girls from various local schools and colleges participated in the event which ended in the car park of Trail-3. KRL Club and many students from Gilgit-Baltistan also took part in it. Famous Pakistani woman Everest climber Ms Samina Baig, with her brother Mirza Ali and famous mountaineer and summiteer Hassan Sadpara graced the occasion.
Advisor to Prime Minister, Azad Kashmir Malik Meherban along with these famous Pakistani mountaineers inaugurated the event. The chief guest at the award distribution ceremony was Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) minister Riaz Hussain Peerzada while IPC secretary Ejaz Chaudhary and PSB DG Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera were also present there.
ACP secretary Abu Zafar Sadiq said in spite of their academic commitments, many educational institutes responded positively in both the rock climbing competition and hike event.
Welcoming all the guests and participants, ACP president Colonel Manzoor Hussain said that bonds between men and mountains was as old as the human race. He mentioned that the aim of this event was to raise awareness about mountains, their scenic and spiritual value amongst the younger generation.
He emphasized on preservation of the mountain areas and their environments for the future generations. He thanked all participations for showing their interest in the healthy outdoor activities.