Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday commended the daring rescue of a Slovenian climber by Pakistan Army Aviation pilots from Nanga Parbat and said Pakistan was a very friendly country for tourists and mountaineers.
He was talking at the Prime Minister House to climber Tomaz Humar and Lieutenant Colonel Rashid Ullah Baig and Major Khalid Amir Rana who rescued him.
Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan has three of the highest mountains of the world and offered the best possible hiking and mountaineering facilities.
Appreciating the skill, dedication and commitment with which the Pakistan Army Aviation pilots handled the difficult rescue mission, he said saving the life of Slovenian mountain climber was a miracle.
He said the pilots did marvellous job in rescuing Tomaz Humar, thus improving the image and prestige of Pakistan throughout the world.
The Prime Minister said people in Pakistan were very friendly and helpful to tourists. The prayers of the villagers proved that for the safety of Slovenian climber during his ordeal.
Shaukat Aziz said he was in Japan when he heard about the efforts made by Pakistan Army Aviation pilots and then got the news of their success in saving Tomaz Humar.
He said pilots of Pakistan Army Aviation were the real heroes and said they always showed their skill and experience. He said Pakistan has a professional Army.
The Prime Minister appreciated the courage of Tomaz Humar, who remained stranded at a height of 21,520 feet (5,725 meters) at Nanga Parbat, a peak of Himalayan Range.
He said Pakistanis have excellent record for taking care of the guests including tourists; therefore people from around the world should come to Pakistan to see personally these feelings.
Earlier, Tomaz Humar recounted the story of the rescue and praised the courage, skill and commitment of the pilots of Pakistan Army Aviation and thanked them for performing a very difficult task.