NAROWAL: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has announced that Pakistan’s first astronaut will travel to space on November 25, marking a significant milestone in the country’s space programme with cooperation from China.
Addressing the closing ceremony of World Space Week in Narowal on Saturday, Iqbal said China, a longstanding partner of Pakistan, was cooperating in the country’s efforts to send its astronaut into space.
“With China’s cooperation, Pakistan will reach new heights in the field of space research,” the minister said.
He added that Pakistan had set a target of achieving a moon landing by 2035.
Highlighting the growing importance of satellite technology, Iqbal said it had become one of the most critical technologies for Pakistan and the rest of the world. He noted that the country’s national security system was also linked to satellite technology.
The minister said global space ambitions were expanding beyond lunar exploration, with discussions increasingly focusing on establishing human settlements on Mars.
“If we do not conduct research, we will fall behind in the race for development,” he warned.
Iqbal stressed the importance of encouraging young people to ask questions, explore new ideas and develop a scientific approach to finding answers.
“Pakistan will have to regain the leadership in knowledge and research that was once our identity,” he said.
The minister also announced that the University of Narowal had secured first position at the Islamabad Science Festival.
He said construction of a Centre for Advanced Technology and Emerging Sciences at the university would begin this year. According to Iqbal, the project had remained confined to official files during the previous government’s tenure.
He further announced that resources had been arranged to establish what he described as Pakistan’s first space museum at the University of Narowal.