CASS organizes a tech talk on opportunities for youth in space exploration
The Centre for
Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) has underscored the importance of
youth engagement in realizing Pakistan’s space potential and capitalizing on
emerging opportunities within the space sector.
CASS organized a Tech Talk titled “Space and Pakistan’s Future: Mobilising the Youth
and Fostering Innovation” on January 21, 2026, bringing together experts
and researchers to discuss the growing significance of space and the role of
young people in Pakistan’s national space ecosystem.
In his opening remarks, Air Marshal (Retd)
Javaid Ahmed, President of CASS, said that space was one of the organization’s
niche research areas with considerable strategic and developmental value. He
noted that CASS had played a consultative role during the formulation of
Pakistan’s Space Policy by providing policy-oriented input. He also highlighted
the lack of broader academic engagement with space studies, which remain
largely confined to physics and are underexplored across other disciplines.
The keynote address was delivered by Muhammad
Iftekhar Yezdani, Chief Executive Officer of Raheqamar. He said that with
nearly 64 per cent of Pakistan’s population under the age of 30, the country
possessed significant demographic potential to build a dynamic and sustainable
space ecosystem.
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Mr Yezdani observed that the digital age had
turned attention into a valuable commodity and called for a shift from an “attention
economy” to an “aspiration economy” by making space science engaging,
accessible, and culturally relevant for young people.
He proposed a four-pillar framework—Cultivate,
Educate, Activate, and Amplify—to promote space awareness and
innovation. His recommendations included supporting local science content
creators, integrating real-time satellite data into education, launching
national space challenges and CubeSat programmes, strengthening incubators, and
leveraging digital platforms to build communities around space learning.
Emphasizing modern science communication, he
highlighted the role of short-form videos, immersive platforms, storytelling,
and gamification in sparking youth interest in space. He stressed that
Pakistan’s next major advancement in the space domain would be driven not by a
single technological breakthrough, but by the collective imagination, skills,
and creativity of its youth.
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In his concluding remarks, President CASS
praised the speaker for an insightful presentation, particularly for
underscoring the value of a bottom-up approach to innovation in the space
sector. He reiterated the need for sustained policy focus and institutional
support for Pakistan’s space development, and described Pakistan’s progress in
the space domain as commendable. He also highlighted the National Aerospace
Science & Technology Park (NASTP) as a positive initiative for
strengthening the country’s technological ecosystem.
Source: Lead
Pakistan