China has picked two Pakistanis for its space mission, China’s state TV reported on Wednesday. According to the report, both Pakistanis will travel to China, and one will take part in a flight mission as a payload specialist.
The report also confirmed that the Pakistani participant will become the first foreign astronaut in China’s space station.
This happened after the two-month phase of Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) astronaut selection process.
Earlier on February 7, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had said that it’s a milestone for Pakistan’s Human Spaceflight Programme.
Pakistan first carried out the initial screening and shortlisted two candidates. They then went to China, where they completed detailed medical, psychological, and aptitude tests at the Astronauts Centre of China (ACC) under international spaceflight standards.
The ISPR said both countries based this cooperation on the Astronaut Cooperation Agreement signed in February 2025 under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership. It added that the prime minister’s vision and support played a key role in helping Pakistan join human spaceflight efforts.
The ISPR also called this a landmark step for Pakistan’s space ambitions and said it shows stronger Pakistan-China cooperation in advanced science and technology.
Also Read, Pen ink found on Mars rocks leaves scientists in shock
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