Pakistan’s first astronaut to embark on space mission on Nov 25

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced on Sunday that Pakistan’s first astronaut will embark on a space mission from a Chinese space centre on November 25. Speaking at the concluding ceremony of World Space Week in Narowal, Iqbal stated that Pakistan aims to achieve a lunar landing by 2035 and expressed hope that cooperation with China would assist the country in space exploration.

According to Dawn and The Express Tribune - Pakistan, the astronaut will be one of two candidates, pilots Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, who were selected by China in April as part of its manned space programme and have been undergoing intensive training in Beijing. The Express Tribune - Pakistan reported that the selected astronaut is expected to travel to China's Tiangong space station as a payload specialist and co-participant under a bilateral human spaceflight programme.

During the ceremony, which was held in collaboration with the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), Iqbal highlighted the importance of space technology for national security, education, communications, agriculture, and climate monitoring. Business Recorder reported that the minister also announced plans to establish Pakistan’s first Space Museum at the University of Narowal to promote scientific awareness and inspire the next generation.

Brief written by urgent.news from Daily Times, Business Recorder, Dawn - Pakistan, Dawn, The Express Tribune - Pakistan — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.