China announces plans to have Pakistan astronaut on short-term missions

China has announced plans to send a Pakistani astronaut on a short-term mission aboard its space station, marking a new milestone in bilateral cooperation. The astronaut will train with Chinese counterparts and conduct scientific experiments on behalf of Pakistan. This development follows a March agreement between Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) for Pakistan’s first manned space mission. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the initiative as a “wonderful gesture” that strengthens the two countries’ strategic partnership and collaboration in space technology.