ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Pakistan has taken a significant step into human spaceflight, with two astronaut candidates formally selected for training under China’s manned space programme, paving the way for a potential historic mission to orbit.
The China Manned Space Agency confirmed on Wednesday that Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud have successfully cleared multiple rounds of a rigorous selection process. Both candidates are now set to travel to China, where they will undergo comprehensive spaceflight training.
According to the agency, one of the two will ultimately be chosen to join a mission crew as a payload specialist aboard the Tiangong space station. If selected and flown, the astronaut would become the first foreign national to visit China’s space station and the first Pakistani to reach Earth’s orbit.
The announcement marks a milestone not only for Pakistan’s ambitions in space but also for China’s expanding international cooperation in human spaceflight. The agency described the initiative as a landmark development in the evolution of its space programme, highlighting the growing depth of bilateral collaboration.
The selection follows a formal agreement signed in Islamabad in February 2025 between the China Manned Space Agency and Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission. The agreement laid the groundwork for joint efforts in astronaut selection, training, and participation in future missions.
Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television also reported that both Pakistani candidates will undergo training in China, where they will be prepared for the technical, physical, and operational demands of spaceflight. The final selection will depend on performance across all training modules and mission-specific assessments.
The role of a payload specialist typically involves managing scientific experiments, technological tests, and onboard research activities. This aligns with China’s broader strategy of opening its space station to international collaboration in scientific exploration and innovation.
In its statement, the Chinese agency emphasised that the inclusion of Pakistani astronauts reflects an “iconic achievement” in international cooperation on the Tiangong platform. It further noted that the partnership demonstrates the practical implementation of the long-standing China-Pakistan strategic relationship within the space sector.
The agency reiterated its commitment to the peaceful use of outer space, stating that sharing technological progress and scientific outcomes remains a central objective of its human spaceflight programme. It added that the programme will continue to welcome participation from countries around the world in areas such as experiments, astronaut training, and joint missions.