China Picks Two Pakistani Astronauts for Space Programme in Landmark Collaboration

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China has selected two Pakistani astronauts for its manned space programme, in a move seen as a major step in deepening space cooperation between both countries.

State broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the candidates — Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud — will travel to China for specialised training, with one of them expected to join a future mission as a payload specialist. The astronaut will become the first foreign national to fly aboard China’s space station.

According to China Daily, both men emerged after multiple rounds of rigorous screening and are set to begin training soon.

The China Manned Space Agency hailed the development as “a landmark event in the history of China’s space industry,” highlighting its significance in expanding international participation in its space programme.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission said the astronauts would undergo advanced training at the Astronaut Centre of China, describing the opportunity as “a significant step forward in Pakistan’s space exploration journey” and a sign of the country’s growing role in human spaceflight.

SUPARCO added that Pakistan is preparing for its first-ever mission to the China Space Station, scheduled for launch in late 2026. It noted that the selected astronaut will carry out scientific experiments in microgravity, covering fields such as material science, fluid physics, life sciences, and biotechnology, with potential benefits for climate resilience, food security, and industrial innovation.

Reacting to the development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described it as “a harbinger of deep space exploration,” adding that the collaboration is “yet another testimony” to the strong and enduring ties between Pakistan and China.

The initiative follows a cooperation agreement signed in February 2025 between SUPARCO and CMSA, under which two Pakistani astronauts were to be trained in China, with one slated to participate in a mission to the Tiangong space station.