Pakistan plans to Strengthen space cooperation with China
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan wants to work more closely with China in space technology, satellite communication, and internet services.
He said this during a meeting with a Chinese space tech company, Galaxy Space, led by its chairman Xu Ming. The prime minister called China a trusted friend and an important strategic partner. He said Pakistan values the development of its space and telecom sectors.
The Chinese delegation showed strong interest in investing in Pakistan’s space sector and working together with SUPARCO, Pakistan’s space agency, and local telecom companies. They also had good discussions with officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
Federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, along with PM’s advisor Dr. Tauqir Shah, were also present at the meeting.
Last year, Pakistan launched its first lunar satellite with China’s help. The ICUBE-Q CubeSat, made by the Institute of Space Technology with support from SUPARCO and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, went into lunar orbit through China’s Chang’e-6 mission. The 7kg satellite has cameras and sensors for space imaging and communication.