Islamabad, August 2, SPA - Italian Minister of AgricultureAlimanno, who is a climber, has performed foundation laying stone ceremony of an Expedition Museum in Pakistan's northern town of Skardu, an officialstatement said. The minister, currently in Pakistan in connection with K-2 Golden Jubileecelebrations in Skardu, said that the museum would be the symbol offriendship between Pakistan and Italy. Alimanno expressed pleasure over the successful Golden Jubilee celebrationsand 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 backgroundand the K-2 scale campaign in 1954 and difficulties of the time. Northern Areas Chief Secretary Muhammad Farid Khan thanked the Italianminister for attending the celebrations in Skardu. On the occasion, Ashraf Aman, a climber, presented Gilgit caps to theclimbers of K-2. A friendly polo match was also organized between Italy andPakistan. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Pakistan Ms Nancy Powell also visited Skardu andbase camp of K-2, Satpara and Kachura lake, officials said. She flew into Skardu from Islamabad in a helicopter of Pakistan Armyaviation. Ambassadors of Canada and Britain accompanied her.--SPA1405 Local Time 1105 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/188150