Pakistan’s first astronaut set for China space mission on November 25

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first astronaut is scheduled to undertake a space mission from China on November 25, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced on Sunday, marking a significant step in the country’s space exploration efforts.

The minister made the announcement while addressing the concluding ceremony of World Space Week in Narowal, organised in collaboration with the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco).

Iqbal also said Pakistan was targeting a lunar landing by 2035. He expressed confidence that cooperation with China would help the country advance its space programme and strengthen its capabilities in scientific research and exploration.

Highlighting the growing importance of space technology, the minister said it played a vital role in agriculture, communications, climate monitoring, education and national security. He stressed that investment in scientific research and technological development was essential for Pakistan’s progress.

Referring to the Muslim world’s historical contributions to astronomy and scientific discovery, Iqbal called for renewed efforts to promote research, innovation and knowledge-based development.

The astronaut will be selected from two Pakistani Air Force pilots, Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, who were chosen by China in April as candidates for its human spaceflight programme. Both have undergone intensive training in Beijing.

Chinese authorities have not yet publicly identified which pilot will undertake the mission. A final selection was expected in mid-to-late October, according to an earlier statement by a Suparco official.

The selected astronaut is expected to serve as a payload specialist, conducting scientific experiments in orbit rather than piloting the spacecraft.

Pakistan’s participation in China’s human spaceflight programme reflects growing bilateral cooperation in space science and technology. The planned mission is expected to provide Pakistani researchers with opportunities to conduct experiments in space and contribute to the country’s long-term scientific ambitions.