Ayesha Saba

Pakistan and China have agreed to deepen space technology cooperation through joint efforts to establish a Pakistan Space Center, conduct astronaut training, and expand collaboration in lunar and deep-space exploration.

The commitment is part of the China-Pakistan Action Plan (2025–2029), signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Beijing. The official document brief available with Wealth Pakistan identifies space science and technology as a major frontier for bilateral cooperation, extending beyond traditional sectors of CPEC.

According to the document, the two sides will continue to implement the 2021–2030 Space Cooperative Outline Programmes between the China National Space Administration and Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission.

The cooperation covers the joint selection and training of astronauts, multilevel assessments for the International Lunar Research Station, and discussions on the establishment of a Pakistan Space Center to expand local capacity in space exploration.

The two countries will also work together on remote sensing applications and other space-based technologies to support Pakistan’s economic and social development, including monitoring of natural resources, disaster prevention, and climate research.

The action plan highlights China’s willingness to support Pakistan’s participation in lunar and deep-space missions, marking a significant step in advancing Pakistan’s role in global space exploration.

Officials said the initiative is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s technological capacity, open new opportunities for scientific research, and deepen long-term cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing in advanced science and technology fields.

Credit: INP-WealthPk