Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday that a rescue team tasked with retrieving the body of Dr Asma from Spantik Mountain in the Karakoram Range had been forced to turn back due to severe weather conditions.

In a post on social media platform X, the minister said the team had reached almost Camp-3 but heavy snowfall and strong winds forced it to return to Camp-2. He said high-altitude porters were expected to reach Camp-3 and bring the body down to the base camp, but adverse weather had hampered the retrieval operation.

Tarar said a helicopter had been authorised and coordination established between the Gilgit-Baltistan government and Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA), while alternative arrangements were also in place. 'Whatever can be done in these circumstances, will be done,' he said.

The minister added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was being kept updated on the situation, and all possible resources are being utilized to safely conclude the rescue mission as soon as the weather improves.