Urdu Report Desk
Pakistan’s first astronaut is scheduled to travel to space on November 25, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal has announced, marking a major milestone in the country’s space programme.
Iqbal announced the date on Saturday while addressing the closing ceremony of World Space Week in Narowal. He said China was cooperating with Pakistan to send its astronauts into space.
“With China’s cooperation, Pakistan will reach new heights in the field of space research,” the minister said.
Pakistan Targets Moon Landing by 2035
Iqbal said Pakistan aims to land on the Moon by 2035. He described satellite technology as critically important for Pakistan and the rest of the world, noting that the country’s national security system is also linked to it.
He said international discussions had moved beyond lunar exploration towards the possibility of establishing human settlements on Mars.
The minister warned that Pakistan risked falling behind in the race for development if it failed to invest in research. He also stressed the importance of encouraging young people to ask questions, explore ideas and develop the curiosity needed to find answers.
Iqbal said Pakistan must regain the leadership in knowledge and research that had once been part of its identity.
Advanced Technology Centre Planned in Narowal
The minister said the University of Narowal had secured first position at the Islamabad Science Festival.
He announced that construction of a centre for advanced technology and emerging sciences at the university would begin this year. According to Iqbal, the project had remained confined to official files under the previous government.
He also said resources had been arranged to establish what he described as Pakistan’s first space museum at the University of Narowal.
Who Could Become Pakistan’s First Astronaut?
As part of Pakistan-China space cooperation, two Pakistani pilots, Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, are undergoing training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center in Beijing.
According to Reuters, the two pilots were selected from around 20 finalists drawn from a larger pool of Pakistani pilots and scientists.
Their training includes Chinese language lessons, spacecraft systems and preparation for the effects of microgravity and the intense forces experienced during launch.
One of the two pilots will become Pakistan’s first astronaut and the first foreign astronaut to travel aboard China’s Tiangong space station.
The selected astronaut will serve as a payload specialist and conduct Pakistani scientific experiments during an approximately one-week stay in space.
Funding for Pakistan’s Crewed Space Mission
The government had previously proposed allocating Rs. 1.29 billion for Pakistan’s crewed space mission under the development budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Pakistan and China are also jointly developing a lunar rover to be built in Pakistan. The rover is expected to be launched as part of China’s Chang’e 8 lunar mission around 2028.
