Pakistan is gearing up for liftoff — with plans to send its first astronaut to China’s space station by 2026. The announcement came during Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s official visit to China, where he met with top officials from the China Space Agency and Atomic Energy Authority.
The visit marked a major boost in Pakistan-China ties, shifting from traditional strategic cooperation to full-scale collaboration in space, energy, and advanced technology.
Iqbal revealed two bold goals for Pakistan’s space future: — Sending the first Pakistani astronaut into space by 2026 — Launching a moon mission by 2035
Backed by Chinese support, Pakistan has already successfully launched three satellites — and its ambitions are only growing. The government has also set up a Quantum Computing Center to get ahead of future tech challenges.
On the energy front, Iqbal highlighted the urgency of nuclear power in the fight against climate change. He pointed to successful joint ventures like Chashma-5 and the CANP series as examples of real progress under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Chinese officials praised Pakistan’s commitment to innovation, calling the partnership a powerful example of modern, tech-driven cooperation.
