Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has announced that Pakistan is on track to achieve a historic milestone, which is landing on the moon by 2035. It is the part of a broader push to reassert the country’s role in space exploration.
The remarks of the minister came after the successful launch of Pakistan’s latest remote sensing satellite, a project developed in collaboration with China. Congratulating the nation, Ahsan has shown admiration for the dedication of the SUPARCO team, engineers, and scientists whose efforts made the launch feasible.
“We are thankful for China’s strong cooperation. The satellite has successfully reached its orbit,” he said, noting that the partnership reflects the growing strength of Pakistan-China scientific collaboration under long-standing bilateral ties.
Astronaut in Space Next Year
The planning minister also unveiled that Pakistan will send its first astronaut into space in 2026, once again it is marking a new milestone or a new chapter in the country’s scientific journey. He stressed that such achievements will not only contribute in boosting Pakistan’s prestige on the global stage but also inspire young generations to pursue careers in science and technology.
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Looking further ahead, Iqbal reaffirmed the burning desire and dedication of the Government to a moon mission by 2035, calling it a “national dream” and a symbol of Pakistan’s determination to embrace innovation and advanced research. “By 2035, with the assistance of our Chinese partners, Pakistan will proudly complete its mission to reach the moon,” he declared.
Reclaiming a Leading Role in Space Tech
Ahsan kept on stressing that Pakistan, which once had a strong standing in regional space science, is determined to reclaim its leading role in space technology. He said the recent successes of SUPARCO show that the country is ready to make progress in science, research, and exploration by thick and thin.
As the satellite settles into its orbit and preparations begin for the astronaut program, officials say Pakistan’s vision is clear: to push boundaries, inspire innovation, and mark its name among nations reaching for the stars.