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Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal announced that Pakistan is preparing to send its first astronaut to the Chinese space station in 2026, marking a major milestone in Pakistan’s space journey.
During his official visit to Beijing, Ahsan Iqbal met with Chairman of China’s Space Agency, Sean Zongda, where both sides discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in space research and nuclear energy.
Highlighting recent achievements, the minister stated that Pakistan successfully launched three satellites into space with China, showcasing the growing strength of Pak-China scientific collaboration.
He emphasized that space science is now a national priority, being actively developed under the current government.
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“The launch of satellites and the astronaut mission reflects the new momentum in Pakistan’s space program under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” Iqbal noted.
He also pointed out the deepening cooperation in the nuclear energy sector, citing K-2, K-3, and C-5 nuclear power plants as successful examples.
He stressed that the effects of climate change have made clean and sustainable energy solutions, such as nuclear power, essential for Pakistan’s future.
Iqbal praised the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a symbol of strong strategic ties, stating it has removed barriers in infrastructure and energy while boosting socio-economic development.
The upcoming astronaut mission is expected to inspire a new generation of Pakistani scientists and engineers, and strengthen Pakistan’s role in international space research.
