PM Shehbaz hails Pakistani astronauts’ China mission as ‘historic milestone’
By Tanveer Ahmed :
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met two Pakistani astronaut candidates selected for China’s human spaceflight programme, calling their participation a landmark moment in the country’s scientific journey.
The astronauts, Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali, have been chosen to train in China, with one set to join a future mission as a payload specialist aboard the Tiangong space station. The selected astronaut will become the first foreign national to visit China’s orbital facility.
During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, Shehbaz Sharif expressed pride in the achievement, saying it marked a “significant milestone” for Pakistan and reflected the country’s growing role in space research.
“I am confident that you are going to write a new chapter in Pakistan’s history,” he told the candidates, praising their dedication and hard work.
Under the programme, the astronauts will undergo advanced training in China. Upon successful completion, one will be chosen for a spaceflight mission, where they will conduct scientific experiments in microgravity. These studies will cover areas such as material science, fluid physics, life sciences and biotechnology, with potential applications in climate resilience and industrial innovation.
The prime minister also highlighted expanding cooperation between Pakistan and China in the space sector, describing it as a reflection of shared ambitions in scientific advancement. Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, who attended the meeting, welcomed the development and termed bilateral collaboration in space as forward-looking.
Officials from the SUPARCO were also present, underscoring the agency’s role in advancing Pakistan’s space ambitions.
The development builds on a series of joint initiatives between Islamabad and Beijing. In recent years, Pakistan has launched multiple satellites with Chinese support, including a hyperspectral satellite designed to monitor agriculture, water resources and environmental changes with high precision.
The astronauts, meanwhile, described their selection as a national honour and pledged to meet expectations through commitment and performance.
Their upcoming training and potential mission are being seen as a major step toward Pakistan’s first participation in human spaceflight, placing the country among a select group of nations engaged in advanced space exploration.
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