Italian Minister of Agriculture Alimanno, who is a climber, has performed foundation laying stone ceremony of an Expedition Museum in Pakistan's northern town of Skardu, an official statement said. The minister, currently in Pakistan in connection with K-2 Golden Jubilee celebrations in Skardu, said that the museum would be the symbol of friendship between Pakistan and Italy. Alimanno expressed pleasure over the successful Golden Jubilee celebrations and paid tributes to the Italian climbers, who again scaled the 'killer' mountain (K-2) fifty years later. The Italian architect of the museum, Sulven, threw light on its background and the K-2 scale campaign in 1954 and difficulties of the time. Northern Areas Chief Secretary Muhammad Farid Khan thanked the Italian minister for attending the celebrations in Skardu. On the occasion, Ashraf Aman, a climber, presented Gilgit caps to the climbers of K-2. A friendly polo match was also organized between Italy and Pakistan. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Pakistan Ms Nancy Powell also visited Skardu and base camp of K-2, Satpara and Kachura lake, officials said. She flew into Skardu from Islamabad in a helicopter of Pakistan Army aviation. Ambassadors of Canada and Britain accompanied her.
