Meet Mustafa Kamal: The Glacier Researcher from Pakistan’s Last Village Askole

ISLAMABAD: In an inspiring story of perseverance and dedication, Mustafa Kamal, hailing from the remote mountain village of Askole in Gilgit-Baltistan, has successfully completed his graduation in Environmental Science at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.

Mustafa’s journey from the “City of Mountains” to the nation’s capital spans nearly two decades of learning, resilience, and unwavering faith. Reflecting on his achievement, he expressed deep gratitude to Allah Almighty, calling it “a journey full of lessons, challenges, and endless grace.”

Mustafa credited his success to the prayers and sacrifices of his parents, especially his father, and the support of his brothers. He also acknowledged the encouragement he received from teachers, mentors, and friends from Askole School, Uswa Skardu, HKA Hostel, FG Sir Syed College Rawalpindi, and finally Quaid-i-Azam University.

Special thanks were extended to Sir Ghulam Ali Asko, Haji Ghulam Rasool, and retired Major General Khalil Dar, who supported him both morally and financially along the way.

One of the highlights of his academic journey was his thesis titled:
“An Integrated Assessment of Snow Cover Dynamics (2015–2025) at Biafo Glacier Using Machine Learning with Optical and Microwave Remote Sensing.”

Mustafa expressed profound gratitude to his supervisor, Prof. Dr. Riffat N. Malik (T.I.), for her exceptional mentorship and guidance. He also thanked Prof. Dr. Zafeer Saqib Azeemi (International Islamic University, Islamabad), whose expertise in GIS and Remote Sensing greatly contributed to his research.

Calling this milestone “the close of one chapter and the hopeful beginning of another,” Mustafa said his aim is to serve his community and country by applying his knowledge of environmental science, particularly in glacier and climate research.

“This achievement was never a solo journey,” he remarked. “It belongs to all who supported me with prayers, patience, and encouragement.”