Pakistan to send first astronaut to China's space station in 2026
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has announced that
Pakistan will send its first astronaut to China’s space station in 2026,
marking a major milestone in the country's space program.
During an official visit to China, Iqbal held high-level
meetings with senior officials from the China Atomic Energy Authority and the China
National Space Administration, focusing on expanding cooperation in space
exploration and nuclear energy.
“Pakistan’s partnership with China is entering a new phase —
from strategic cooperation to deep technological collaboration,” Iqbal stated.
Read More Pakistan
signs agreement with China to send first Pakistani astronaut to space
Strengthening nuclear energy collaboration
Iqbal emphasized that nuclear energy is essential for addressing climate change. He cited successful joint projects such as **Chashma-5, CANP-2, and CANP-3 nuclear power plants** as evidence of productive bilateral cooperation.
Space program accelerates
Under the Prime Minister’s vision, Pakistan's space ambitions
have gained momentum. With Chinese assistance, the country has already launched
three satellites, and now aims to:
- Send its first astronaut into space by 2026
- Launch a moon mission by 2035
To support these goals, Pakistan has also established a Quantum
Computing Center.
Read More Pakistan
seeks to boost space technology cooperation with China
China backs Pakistan’s vision
Chinese space official Shan Zhongde praised Iqbal’s
leadership and reaffirmed China’s full support in advancing Pakistan’s nuclear
and space capabilities.
“Our relationship,
built on strong strategic foundations, has evolved into a dynamic partnership
in technology and innovation,” Shan said.
This collaboration aligns with broader goals under the China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC), which Iqbal noted has already helped eliminate key
infrastructure and energy bottlenecks in Pakistan.
Source: Samaa TV