Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with the Pakistani astronauts designated for the upcoming human spaceflight mission, Khurram Dawood and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali, on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, and Chairman SUPARCO Mohammad Yousaf Khan, alongside the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, the PM Office stated.
The development comes as Pakistan is set to send its first astronaut to space under a landmark human spaceflight collaboration with China, marking a historic entry into an exclusive group of nations with active crewed space programmes.
During the interaction, the prime minister expressed his profound pride in the astronauts, describing their mission as a significant milestone for the nation. “I am confident that you are about to write a new chapter in Pakistan’s history,” the prime minister stated, commending their hard work and dedication.
He noted that this mission, facilitated by China, would add new dimensions to the brotherly relations between the two countries.
Speaking with the Chinese ambassador, PM Shehbaz remarked that the space research cooperation between Pakistan and China signifies a friendship that is “reaching for the stars.”
Ambassador Zaidong welcomed the prime minister’s sentiments, affirming that bilateral cooperation in space exploration is a positive development for both nations.
The astronauts expressed that representing Pakistan in space research is a unique honour and a matter of immense pride, pledging to fulfill the nation’s expectations through their commitment and hard work.
According to the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), two astronaut candidates — Khurram and Zeeshan — have been selected for advanced training as part of the mission preparation and will be sent to China in this regard.
The development represents a major milestone in Pakistan’s space journey, as the country prepares for its first-ever participation in a mission aboard the China Space Station, expected by the end of 2026. One of the Pakistani candidates will serve as a payload specialist during the Shenzhou mission, conducting a series of scientific experiments in microgravity.
Officials said the planned experiments will cover critical fields including material science, fluid physics, life sciences, and biotechnology. The outcomes are expected to contribute to research on climate change mitigation, food security, and industrial innovation.
The initiative places Pakistan among a limited number of countries actively engaging in human spaceflight programmes, significantly expanding its role beyond satellite development into advanced space exploration.
Pakistan’s peace efforts discussed
Meanwhile, the Chinese ambassador paid a courtesy call on PM Shehbaz. The premier was assisted by DPM Dar, Planning Minister Iqbal, Information Minister Tarar, SAPM Fatemi and Ambassador Baloch.
The regional situation in the Middle East and Pakistan’s peace efforts also came under discussion during the meeting among other things.
The prime minister conveyed his warm regards and greetings for Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
While expressing his satisfaction at the positive trajectory of Pakistan-China bilateral relations, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed that Pakistan took great pride in its all-weather cooperative strategic partnership with China. He also spoke of his resolve to continue working closely with the Chinese leadership, to ensure that the relationship grows from strength to strength.
The Chinese ambassador thanked the prime minister for receiving him and expressed China’s appreciation of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for lasting peace in the region. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening its iron-clad ties with Pakistan and to take them to new heights, as envisioned by President Jinping.
