Pakistan announces first astronaut mission and 2035 moon goal

Pakistan has announced that its first astronaut will embark on a space mission from a Chinese space center on November 25. Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal shared the news during the closing ceremony of World Space Week 2026 in Narowal.

Two Pakistani nationals, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, have reportedly completed advanced medical and psychological assessments in China for the mission. One of these astronauts is expected to serve as a payload specialist, marking the first time a foreign astronaut will be onboard the Tiangong space station.

This mission is part of a growing partnership between Islamabad and Beijing, following the Astronaut Cooperation Agreement signed in February 2025. Additionally, the Pakistani government has set a long-term target to achieve a lunar landing by 2035 through continued scientific research and international cooperation.