Pakistan to strengthen collaboration with China in space technology
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with China in the field of space technology, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Tuesday.
During a meeting in Islamabad with a
delegation from Galaxy Space, a leading Chinese space technology firm, PM
Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s interest in expanding cooperation in areas such
as space technology, satellite development, telecommunications, and satellite-based
internet services.
"Pakistan attaches great
importance to the space sector, and China continues to be our most reliable and
strategic partner," the prime minister stated.
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signs agreement with China to send first Pakistani astronaut to space
The visiting delegation, led by Galaxy
Space Chairman Xu Ming, expressed strong interest in investing in Pakistan’s
space industry. They also discussed potential joint ventures with Pakistani
space institutions and private telecom companies, aiming to help build capacity
and enhance local expertise.
China’s space program has seen
remarkable progress, with key achievements including the Tiangong space station,
lunar missions, the BeiDou navigation system, and advances in reusable rocket
technology.
In February, PM Shehbaz had
announced that Pakistan would send its first astronaut to the Chinese Space
Station (CSS) under a joint venture with China. Two Pakistani astronauts are
expected to undergo training at the Astronaut Centre of China, with one set to
be designated a scientific payload specialist. Their mission will include
advanced experiments in fields such as biological sciences, fluid mechanics, aerospace,
ecology, and material science.
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to commence satellite launches in the coming years
To support the sector, the
government introduced the National Space Activities Rules 2024, which regulate
space-related operations within and beyond Pakistan’s borders. The National
Space Agency (NSA) has been authorized to collaborate with international
satellite operators to acquire, distribute, and sell satellite data.
With the growing global market for
satellite-based internet—currently led by operators such as Starlink, Amazon,
and OneWeb—Galaxy Space is reportedly exploring opportunities to enter
Pakistan’s broadband market, leveraging low-earth orbit satellites to provide
coverage in remote and underserved regions.
Source:
Dawn