On Friday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan’s first space mission would be launched soon by sending two Pakistani astronauts to the China Space Station in collaboration with China. In Islamabad, Speaking at the ceremony after observing the exchange of cooperation agreements between China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) and Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), Pakistan’s Premier said this was yet another marvelous signal from the Chinese Government to strengthen mutual collaboration in this field.
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He highlighted that under the “Dynamic Leadership” of Xi Jinping the Chinese President “Not only is this program underway speedily but also CPEC, which has changed Pakistan’s economic conditions.” PM Shahbaz Sharif emphasized that Pakistan’s involvement in the China Space Station (CSS) programme is reflected in a well-established tie between the two countries Pakistan and China would contribute to information interchange and the broader vision of peaceful space exploration.
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According to the agreement, Two Pakistani astronauts will be trained at the Astronaut Centre of China. One of the selected astronauts will be trained as a scientific payload specialist and made ready for specialized research aboard the CSS. According to the CSS plan, the selection process for an upcoming space mission will be finalized by 2026. The first Pakistani astronaut mission at CSS will involve managing inventive scientific experiments in several fields, including medical and biological sciences, fluid mechanics, aerospace, applied physics, ecology, space radiation, and material sciences.
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Ahsan Iqbal Minister for Planning and Development labeled the agreement a historic milestone, underscoring its role in pushing technological innovation, capacity building, and research. He said, “Collaboration with China broadens beyond astronaut training, laying the preparations for Pakistan’s everlasting growth in human spaceflight and exploration.” The Director General of CMSA Dr. Lin Xinqiang showed enthusiasm for this collaboration, maintaining China’s dedication to making stronger international cooperation in space exploration. He also emphasized that Pakistan’s involvement in the China Space Station (CSS) program is reflected in a well-established tie between the two countries and would contribute to information interchange.
Chairman of Suparco Mohammad Yousaf Khan considers the agreement a major achievement in Pakistan’s Space journey, highlighting “perseverance, adaptability, and technological progress”. He invited youth professionals, and academia to actively join Pakistan’s astronaut program, inspiring them to contribute to space exploration efforts through research, innovation, and skill development.
