By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met Pakistani astronauts Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali, who have been selected for a human space mission, and described their participation in space research as a landmark achievement for the country and a matter of national pride.
Astronaut Attaché Hasnain Iftikhar from Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) was also present during the meeting held here at the Prime Minister’s Office, a news release said.
Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister expressed deep pleasure over meeting the young astronauts and termed their selection for space research a significant milestone for Pakistan. He said their journey represented a moment of pride not only for him but for the entire nation.
“I am confident that you are going to write a new chapter in Pakistan’s history,” the prime minister told the astronauts, appreciating their dedication and hard work that enabled them to reach this important stage.
The prime minister amid highlighting Pakistan-China cooperation in the space sector, said the astronauts’ mission through Chinese collaboration would further strengthen the longstanding brotherly ties between the two countries. He added that bilateral cooperation in space research reflected a shared commitment to exploring new frontiers and reaching greater scientific heights together.
Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong welcomed the prime minister’s remarks and described expanding cooperation between Pakistan and China in space research as encouraging and forward-looking.
The astronauts expressed gratitude for the opportunity and termed their participation in space research a unique honour and a source of pride for Pakistan. They reaffirmed their resolve to meet the nation’s expectations through dedication and hard work.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, and Chairman SPARCO Muhammad Yousaf Khan. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong also participated in the meeting.
