Two Pakistani candidates have been shortlisted for Pakistan’s Human Spaceflight Programme and will undergo astronaut training in China, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Saturday. One of them is expected to join a future mission aboard China’s Tiangong space station.
The selection follows the 2025 cooperation agreement between Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The agreement aims to train Pakistani astronauts and send the first manned mission under Pakistan’s human spaceflight programme.
According to ISPR, the candidates completed a rigorous selection process at the Astronauts Centre of China (ACC), including medical, psychological, and aptitude evaluations in line with international human spaceflight standards. The shortlisted candidates will now undergo six months of advanced astronaut training at ACC. Upon completion, one will be chosen for the space mission expected in October or November 2026.
The CMSA confirmed that the selected Pakistani astronaut will participate in scientific experiments on behalf of Pakistan, in addition to performing standard crew duties aboard the Tiangong station. CMSA spokesperson Lin Xiqiang said the selection process mirrors the three-stage procedure followed for Chinese astronauts: preliminary, secondary, and final assessments.
ISPR highlighted that this initiative reflects Pakistan’s growing capabilities in space technology and human spaceflight. It also underscores the strong bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and China, with Islamabad becoming the first foreign partner in China’s astronaut programme.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose leadership facilitated the programme, said during the 2025 agreement signing that the collaboration would enable Pakistan to participate in manned space missions, marking a historic milestone in the country’s space ambitions.
