Nine M'sians mountaineers to scale Pakistan peaks

SEPANG: Nine Malaysian mountaineers have embarked on an expedition to Skardu, Pakistan in their bid to conquer the K2 and Gondorogo-La peaks, in conjunction with the National Day 2017 celebrations.
The 17-day expedition, dubbed 'XPDC Merdeka Day', was flagged-off by Tourism and Culture Deputy Minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsuddin at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport here today.
Nor Afende Aminudin is leader of the expedition.
Joining him are Haifz Ithnin, Zuraila Abd Jalal, Mohd Izzat Mohd Zin, Muhammad Azham Ab Hamid, Maznah Baba, Khairul Nizam Minhat, Muhammad Eddy Muhammadin and Muhammad Hakim Mat Daud.
The team members will carry the national flag, 'Jalur Gemilang', to the base camps of the K2 and Gondorogo-La, at 5,650 metres and 5,585 metres above the sea level, respectively, before raising the flag at the top of the peaks on the eve of the National Day.
Mas Ermieyati said members of the expedition, organised by the Malaysian Backpackers would also hand over items to students of a school in Skardu to promote education among the children in the mountainous area.
"Such social responsibility activity which they will carry out is something positive as it can forge closer diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Pakistan, marking the 52nd anniversary (of their bilateral ties) this year," she said at the flagging-off ceremony here. — Bernama