A Pakistani astronaut is scheduled to visit China’s orbital station on an upcoming flight, Beijing officials announced on Saturday.
The China Manned Space Agency stated that a Pakistani crew member will take part in the Shenzhou-24 mission. This is the first time a foreign national will enter the Tiangong space station.
The space agency did not provide an exact launch date. Observers expect the mission to depart before the end of the year.
The Pakistani space traveller will serve as a payload specialist. The astronaut will take part in a short orbital flight and return home aboard the Shenzhou-23 spaceship, which docked at the station in May.
Beijing officials did not reveal the identity of the Pakistani crew member. The agency stated in April that Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud were selected to begin training in China.
Pakistan and Islamabad maintain close strategic and diplomatic ties. Both nations signed an agreement in February 2025 to set up a Chinese government training programme for Pakistani astronauts.
Under the 2025 deal, Pakistani space personnel will train in China and fly short missions alongside Chinese colleagues over the coming years. State media outlet Xinhua reported the details at the time.
China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and a major foreign investor. Leaders frequently describe their relationship as an all-weather friendship spanning several decades.
Beijing has poured substantial resources into its national space sector to match the United States. The country aims to put astronauts on the Moon by 2030.
