Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has announced that Pakistan will send its first astronaut to the Chinese space station in 2026. The announcement came during his meeting in Beijing with Shan Zhongde, Chairman of China’s Atomic Energy Authority and Space Agency.
In the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the growing cooperation between Pakistan and China in both nuclear energy and space research, aligning with Pakistan’s long-term development goals.
He credited the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for helping Pakistan overcome infrastructure and energy challenges. Projects like the K-2, K-3, and C-5 nuclear power plants were highlighted as successful examples of strategic collaboration.
The minister shared that Pakistan’s space program is gaining fresh momentum under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership. As part of the “Uraan Pakistan” initiative, the government is focusing on the advancement of space sciences. He noted that Pakistan recently launched three satellites in collaboration with China.
Iqbal also revealed that Pakistan’s space agency, SUPARCO, has been tasked with launching a lunar mission by 2035. He invited China to benefit from Pakistan’s skilled and cost-effective human resource pool, suggesting more joint training and research programs.
He further shared that Pakistan has established a Quantum Computing Center to address future technological needs and stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships between SUPARCO, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, and their Chinese counterparts.
Lastly, the minister called for increased exchange opportunities for young Pakistani scientists to study space technologies in China, laying the foundation for deeper and long-term collaboration.
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