October 10, 2025 – Web Desk
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal announced that Pakistan will send its first astronaut into space next year.
Addressing an event in Islamabad, Ahsan Iqbal expressed pride in Pakistan’s achievements in space technology, noting, “I am delighted that today, several Pakistani satellites are orbiting in space. This field plays a crucial role in highlighting human research capabilities.”
Iqbal urged that students be encouraged from an early age to study the universe, emphasizing that every country is racing to secure a greater presence in space. “We need people who think about making new discoveries and advancing our country in technology,” he said.
The federal minister called on the youth to take an interest in space science, acknowledging that Pakistan lags in this field and must bridge the gap. He highlighted that World Space Week, celebrated globally from October 4 to 10, prompted directives to all provinces to organize related events this year.
Iqbal stressed the responsibility to revive Pakistan’s legacy of scientific inquiry, recalling the golden era of Islamic research when Muslim scientists excelled in scientific exploration. “We abandoned the tradition of research and now rely on others’ knowledge. Today, Muslims need to reconnect with the pursuit of knowledge and research more than ever,” he said, adding that true scholars inspire progress through science, not violence, and remind the nation of its rich history of discovery.
