ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has announced its ambition to land a spacecraft on the Moon by 2035, with significant technical support from China. The declaration was made by Ahsan Iqbal, the country’s Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, during his recent visit to Beijing, according to Geo News.
The announcement comes despite Pakistan’s ongoing struggles with economic instability, infrastructure gaps, and rising security concerns. While Pakistan began its space research programme nearly a decade before India, it has since fallen behind its neighbour’s achievements in space exploration.
China at the Core of Pakistan’s Space Push
During his meeting with senior Chinese officials, including Shan Zhongde, head of China’s Atomic Energy Authority and Space Agency, Iqbal emphasised Pakistan’s reliance on China to bridge critical technological and scientific gaps in its space and nuclear sectors.
As part of its roadmap, Pakistan will contribute a 35-kilogram lunar rover to China’s Chang’e-8 mission in 2028. This rover will be used to explore the Moon’s south pole, analyse its terrain, and conduct experiments aimed at assessing resource potential.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s space agency, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), continues to depend on Chinese support for most of its projects. The agency has yet to launch an independent space mission.
India’s Contrast and Pakistan’s Dependency
In comparison, India’s ISRO has successfully executed multiple landmark missions, including Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan, and is preparing for its first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, slated for early 2027.
Iqbal, however, argued that Pakistan is reinvigorating its space programme under the “Uraan Pakistan” initiative introduced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He highlighted that three Pakistani-made satellites were recently launched with substantial assistance from China. Furthermore, Pakistan aims to send its first astronaut to China’s space station by 2026.
Challenges Holding Back Pakistan’s Space Ambitions
Despite these goals, Pakistan’s space programme faces systemic hurdles. SUPARCO, founded in 1961 by Nobel laureate Dr Abdus Salam, operates on a modest annual budget of roughly \$36 million—far less than India’s ISRO. For over a decade, the organisation has been led by retired army generals, raising questions about its scientific leadership.
Additionally, the lack of specialised academic programs in space science across Pakistani universities has hindered the development of a skilled talent pool. Pakistan’s dependency on China also extends to satellite launches and technological know-how.
Compounding these scientific challenges are financial concerns, with Pakistan reportedly owing Chinese power producers over PKR 423 billion under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, as reported by The Express Tribune.
China’s Response
Chinese space chief Shan Zhongde reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s space programme, describing the collaboration as part of a broader strategic partnership. Analysts, however, see this as further evidence of Pakistan’s growing reliance on China for any meaningful scientific or economic progress.
If successful, Pakistan’s lunar ambitions would mark a historic milestone for the country. However, with its current level of dependence and limited indigenous capacity, the road to 2035 remains a steep climb.
