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By Tanveer Ahmed :
China has selected two Pakistani candidates for its manned space programme, paving the way for the country’s first participation in a human spaceflight mission.
State media reported that Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud will travel to China for advanced astronaut training, with one of them expected to join a future mission as a payload specialist.
According to the China Manned Space Agency, the selected astronaut will take part in a spaceflight mission after completing training and assessments, becoming the first foreign national to visit China’s orbital station.
Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission described the development as a major milestone, saying it marks the country’s entry into a select group of nations involved in human spaceflight programmes.
The candidates are due to begin training at the Astronaut Centre of China, as part of preparations for a mission to the Tiangong space station, which is expected to launch in late 2026.
Officials say the astronaut will carry out scientific experiments in microgravity, focusing on areas such as material science, biotechnology and fluid physics, with potential applications in food security, climate resilience and industrial innovation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed the selection, calling it a reflection of close ties between Pakistan and China and a significant step forward in the country’s space ambitions.
The collaboration follows a bilateral agreement signed in 2025, under which Pakistan became the first foreign partner in China’s astronaut programme, highlighting deepening cooperation between the two countries in advanced science and technology.
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