China has selected two Pakistani astronauts as candidates for its manned space programme. Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali both astronaut candidates will travel to China for training, and one will participate in a flight mission as a payload specialist and become the first foreign astronaut in China’s space station.
This development marks an important step in Pakistan’s journey in space research, placing the country among a limited number of nations actively participating in human spaceflight programs.
Pakistan is preparing to take part in a mission aboard the China Space Station for the first time. The mission is expected to take place by the end of 2026, during which one Pakistani astronaut will serve as a payload expert in the Shenzhou mission.
During the mission, the Pakistani astronaut will conduct several scientific experiments in microgravity. These experiments will focus on key areas such as material science, fluid physics, life and biological sciences, and biotechnology.
The results of this research are expected to contribute to tackling climate change, improving food security, and supporting industrial innovation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised SUPARCO’s progress in advancing deep space research and highlighted the strong and lasting friendship between Pakistan and China.
He said Pakistan’s participation in the human space mission reflects the close cooperation between the two countries and marks another significant achievement in their partnership.
