Beijing's manned space agency has said a Pakistani astronaut will become the first foreigner to visit China's Tiangong space station. The agency said on social media that the astronaut will join the crew of the Shenzhou-24 mission, China's next flight into orbit. It did not name the crew member, and it did not give a departure date.
Timing and what is still unknown
Coverage of the announcement said the mission is expected to take place by the end of the year, but no departure date has been confirmed. Chinese state media reported that the Pakistani astronaut would take part as part of bilateral cooperation under China's Belt and Road Initiative, a Chinese-led programme of infrastructure and investment links with partner countries. Until the agency names the astronaut, the identity of the person selected remains unconfirmed.
A training deal from February 2025
Pakistan and China signed a deal in February 2025 that set up a Chinese government training programme for Pakistani astronauts. The agreement paved the way for two Pakistani candidates to train in China, and coverage of the announcement said they have spent months at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center in Beijing. China's state news agency reported at the time that the trained astronauts would later carry out short missions with Chinese counterparts over the next few years.
Beijing has invested heavily in its space programme in recent years and aims to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030. China is also Pakistan's largest trading partner and a major foreign investor, and the two countries often describe their friendship as "all-weather".
Why the step matters for Pakistan
Beyond the symbolism, the mission gives Pakistani scientists exposure to a field where precision and advanced engineering are central. One analysis of the development argues that such experience could strengthen domestic expertise in satellite technology, telecommunications, materials science and applied research. Those benefits depend on how the training and flight are followed up.
Neither the astronaut's name nor the departure date has been released so far, so the mission's next updates will be the first firm details.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan ka ek astronaut China ke space station par jaane wala pehla ghair mulki mehman hoga, jab woh Shenzhou-24 mission ke saath udaan bharega. Abhi tak astronaut ka naam aur rawangi ki tareekh nahi batayi gayi, lekin mission ke year ke aakhir tak hone ki umeed hai. Aam Pakistani ke liye is ka fori asar nahi hai, magar yeh science, satellite aur telecom ke shobe mein Pakistan-China taawun ki nayi mizaan hai. Agle updates mein naam aur tareekh ka intezar rahega.
