PM Shehbaz meets Pakistani astronauts set for Chinese space mission

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met Pakistani astronauts Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali ahead of their upcoming human space mission, describing the development as a landmark achievement for the country’s space ambitions. SUPARCO astronaut attaché Hasnain Iftikhar was also present during the meeting.

The high-level meeting was attended by senior government officials, including Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Tariq Fatemi, Amna Baloch, and SUPARCO Chairman Muhammad Yousaf Khan, alongside Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zedong, highlighting the significance of Pakistan-China collaboration in the mission.

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During the interaction, the prime minister praised the astronauts’ dedication and perseverance, noting that their selection reflects years of hard work and commitment. He said the mission would not only mark a new chapter in Pakistan’s scientific progress but also inspire a generation of young Pakistanis to pursue careers in science and technology.

Both astronauts will head to China for training, where one is expected to take part in a spaceflight as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut to serve aboard China’s space station.

Sharif noted that cooperation with China in space exploration is set to deepen bilateral ties further, calling it a partnership that is “reaching new heights.” He added that joint efforts in space research could open doors to technological advancement and innovation for Pakistan.

The Chinese ambassador welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed Beijing’s support for continued collaboration in space sciences, terming the mission a symbol of strong and evolving ties between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, the astronauts expressed pride in representing Pakistan on an international platform. They described the mission as a rare honor and pledged to carry out their research responsibilities with dedication, aiming to meet the expectations of the nation and contribute to scientific progress.