Pakistan has reached a landmark moment in its space programme, with China confirming the selection of two Pakistani astronaut candidates as the first foreign participants in its manned spaceflight programme. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV and China Daily both confirmed that Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud have been chosen following multiple rounds of rigorous screening and selection, and that both candidates are set to depart for China to begin advanced astronaut training at the Astronaut Centre of China. Upon completing all training courses and passing relevant assessments, one of them will be selected for a mission crew as a payload specialist to participate in a spaceflight, becoming the first foreign astronaut to visit the Chinese space station, according to China Daily.
The mission marks Pakistan’s first participation in a crewed space programme, expanding its role beyond satellite operations into human spaceflight, and places Pakistan among a small and select group of nations actively engaged in human spaceflight at an operational level. The mission is part of Pakistan’s first planned participation in a flight to the China Space Station, which is expected in late 2026, making the timeline for the first Pakistani to reach orbit a matter of months rather than years. The cooperation is based on the bilateral Astronaut Cooperation Agreement signed in February 2025 under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with Pakistan chosen by China as the first foreign partner in its astronaut programme, reflecting the close ties between the two countries.
During the mission, the selected Pakistani astronaut will serve as a payload specialist and conduct a series of scientific experiments in the microgravity environment of the China Space Station. These experiments are set to cover areas such as material science, fluid physics, life sciences, and biotechnology, with possible benefits for climate resilience, food security, and industrial innovation. Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission described the development as a significant step forward in the country’s space exploration journey, noting that it positions Pakistan in the community of a select group of nations actively engaged in human spaceflight programmes. The announcement has been received as a moment of national significance, reflecting not only the depth of the Pakistan-China strategic partnership but also the maturation of Pakistan’s own institutional capacity in space science and technology over recent years.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
