Tasneem Habib to climb K2 for cancer patients in Pakistan

Tasneem Habib will tackle K2 on behalf of Little Horton Lane-based charity the Imran Khan Cancer Appeal (IKCA), which provides free treatment to cancer patients in Pakistan – a country where the poor struggle to afford it.

Tasneem, who is originally from Redditch in Worcestershire but now lives with her husband in Eccleshill, is an experienced trekker.

She has already climbed Mount Everest – the only mountain higher than K2 – as well as Nanga Parbat, amongst others.

She is hoping to raise £5,000 through her K2 climb in July.

“K2 has always been on my bucket list. It’s going to be challenging, but I’m looking forward to it,” said Tasneem, who is a global oncology diagnostics director for AstraZeneca.

“In the UK, we’re very fortunate that we don’t have to pay a penny for our treatment.

“We take it for granted. We moan about waiting ages for a doctor’s appointment, and yes, it’s not great – but it could be worse.

“In countries like Pakistan, a poor person being sick makes them even more impoverished – they can’t afford to stay alive.

“That’s why we should be supporting charities like IKCA, which has built hospitals there.”

Tasneem training for a trek in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan (Image: Tasneem Habib)

Tasneem’s 16-day challenge will see her trek for eight hours a day in temperatures reaching 30 degrees, on rough terrain with an average elevation gain of 320 metres.

Night-time temperatures will drop to lows of minus 10, while fundraisers will be sleeping in ice at Baltoro Glacier, making this one of Tasneem’s most difficult treks so far.

“The other climbs I’ve done have been daring, but this is another level,” she said.

Tasneem’s job meant she lived in Arizona in the US for four years, and also spent time in the Middle East, before moving back to the UK in 2021.

She settled in Bradford as her husband, Imran Ishaq – who will join her in the K2 challenge – is from the city.

Tasneem and husband Imran hiking at Catalina State Park, Tucson, Arizona in November (Image: Tasneem Habib)

Tasneem and Imran during their Walima (the second part of a traditional Islamic wedding) (Image: Tasneem Habib)

Working on a diagnostics testing site means cancer is an issue Tasneem is no stranger to.

“It’s close to my heart,” she said.

“But irrespective of your job, we all know how cancer affects people. Seeing how patients can’t afford it in Pakistan gives me a bigger drive to help.”

Tasneem delivering a presentation at work (Image: Tasneem Habib)

Tasneem’s roots are also a link – she is of Pashtun ethnicity, and IKCA’s second Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital was built in Peshawar, close to where her family are from.

Tasneem was recognised for her fundraising efforts when, last year, a room at the hospital was named after her and she was invited to officially open it.

“That was amazing. I met patients from my family’s village, and that really reinforced the fact that our donations are helping people,” she said.

“It made me realise how much of a difference we’re making.

“It’s tough climbing peaks, I’ve wanted to give up on previous treks, but I always think of these sick patients and that keeps me going.”

Tasneem, pictured with her parents and hospital staff, officially opens the room (Image: Tasneem Habib)

To prepare for the K2 climb, Tasneem is sticking to a strict routine.

“I do a 6K run every day, a 7K spinning workout, weights, Pilates and yoga,” she said.

“We’re also climbing Pen-y-Ghent before we go to get in top condition."Tasneem and Imran after climbing Ben Nevis (Image: Tasneem Habib)

Tasneem, a regular at PureGym in Idle, said moving to Bradford has suited her.

“It’s so close to wonderful countryside, so it’s perfect for training,” she said.

“The Dales are a stone’s throw away. My husband and I love going out there.

“Bradford has great food places, too. Growing up South Asian in Redditch meant we had to drive to Birmingham for halal food. When I lived in the US, it was also hard to get South Asian food.

“I think Bradford is the heart of the UK’s Pakistani community, and that’s a big plus. Our culture is just down the road, and that’s not something I’ve ever been used to.

“Everyone is also really welcoming here. Bradford gets stigmatised a lot, and the media doesn’t do it justice.”

To support Tasneem and donate, click here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tasneemk2challenge?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=tasneemk2challenge&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=69fd0eb1631d4d958a15a7577162dd62