Beijing [China], August 4 (ANI): Despite launching its space program nearly a decade before India, Pakistan is now aiming to land a spacecraft on the Moon by 2035, according to Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Geo News reported.
The announcement comes as Pakistan grapples with economic instability, infrastructure shortfalls, and a surge in terrorist activity. Speaking during a meeting in Beijing with top Chinese officials, including Shan Zhongde, head of China’s Atomic Energy Authority and Space Agency, Iqbal emphasized the need for deeper collaboration with China to advance Pakistan’s space and nuclear capabilities.
Pakistan’s lunar ambitions will be spearheaded by its Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), which has yet to independently launch a satellite or space mission. The country’s most significant contribution to date is a 35-kilogram lunar rover that will be part of China’s Chang’e-8 mission in 2028. The mission aims to explore the Moon’s south pole, with the Pakistani rover conducting scientific experiments, analyzing terrain, and assessing resource utilization.
In contrast, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved significant milestones in space exploration, including the Chandrayaan lunar missions and the Mangalyaan Mars orbiter. India is also preparing for its first manned mission, Gaganyaan, set for launch in early 2027.
According to Geo News, discussions between Pakistan and China were framed as strategic cooperation but largely revealed Islamabad’s growing dependence on Chinese expertise and technology. Iqbal promoted the “Uraan Pakistan” initiative, claiming Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has revived the country’s stagnant space sector.
He noted that three Pakistani-built satellites were recently launched—but all with extensive Chinese assistance. Pakistan now hopes to send its first astronaut to space by 2026 via China’s space station, with no clear timeline for building independent capability.
Iqbal also shifted the conversation to broader technological needs, calling for expanded Chinese support in nuclear power and emerging fields like quantum computing, where Pakistan currently lacks meaningful infrastructure or expertise.
SUPARCO, founded in 1961 by Nobel laureate Dr. Abdus Salam, has been hampered by chronic underfunding and poor leadership. Its annual budget stands at just $36 million, a fraction of what ISRO receives. For the past 11 years, the agency has been led by retired army generals, prompting criticism over its scientific direction.
Additionally, limited academic infrastructure in Pakistan restricts the development of a skilled space science workforce, with few universities offering relevant programs. Pakistan’s continued reliance on Chinese technology has also hindered the growth of indigenous capabilities.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has again failed to meet its financial obligations under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with outstanding payments to Chinese power producers reaching PKR 423 billion as of June 2025, The Express Tribune reported.
In response, Chinese official Shan Zhongde reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to the partnership, praising Pakistan’s alignment with China’s strategic goals and pledging continued support for its scientific and economic advancement. (ANI)
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