Pakistan is preparing to send its first-ever astronaut into space in 2026, as part of a joint venture with China’s space program, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal revealed during his official visit to Beijing.
The announcement came during a high-level meeting with Shan Zhongde, Chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority and China’s space agency. The discussions centered on expanding cooperation in nuclear energy and space science, aligning with Pakistan’s national development goals.
Iqbal emphasized that CPEC has helped eliminate major bottlenecks in Pakistan’s energy and infrastructure sectors and now serves as a foundation for deeper collaboration in space technology.
He noted that Pakistan’s space agency, SUPARCO, has already partnered with China to launch three satellites, and now aims even higher. Under the new “Uraan Pakistan” initiative, he said, the government is prioritizing space science, lunar exploration, and next-generation tech innovation.
He also revealed that Pakistan plans to launch a lunar mission by 2035, and that the country’s Quantum Computing Center has been set up to address technological disruptions and enhance scientific capabilities.
“Pakistan has an abundant pool of highly skilled talent at a low cost, which can become an asset for China through training and joint research,” Iqbal said.
The minister called for enhanced collaboration between SUPARCO, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, and Chinese institutions like the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEC) to promote the peaceful use of technology.
He further stressed the need to expand academic and training exchange programs, enabling young Pakistani scientists to pursue space education in China, helping shape the future of Pakistan’s scientific and technological landscape.