Canada-based Punjabi barrister Ajaypal Singh Dhaliwal, who hails from Faridkot district in Punjab, has successfully scaled Mount Everest, bringing pride to the district and the Punjabi community worldwide, officials said on Wednesday.
Deputy Commissioner Faridkot Rahul Chaba felicitated Dhaliwal during a special ceremony and congratulated him on conquering the world’s highest peak.
Expressing happiness over the achievement, Chaba said Dhaliwal’s success reflected the determination, hard work, and perseverance of Punjabis who continue to excel globally in different fields.
“He has proved through dedication and strong willpower that Punjabis are touching new heights across the world. This achievement is a matter of pride not only for Faridkot but for the entire Punjab and the Punjabi diaspora abroad,” the Deputy Commissioner said.
Dhaliwal belongs to the village of Kassam Bhatti in Faridkot district and is currently settled in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, where he practices as a barrister. According to officials, he had been preparing rigorously for several years to scale Mount Everest.
He revealed that he had attempted the climb last year as well, but could not succeed. However, on May 20, 2026, he successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest, achieving the feat after years of training and perseverance.
Rahul Chaba stated that Dhaliwal has become the first Canadian Sikh to conquer Mount Everest, calling it a historic accomplishment for the global Punjabi and Sikh community.
Officials further said that Dhaliwal had earlier scaled several renowned mountain peaks across the world. Apart from mountaineering, he is also an accomplished marathon runner and has earned the prestigious ‘Ironman’ title for endurance sports achievements.