Two Pakistani astronauts picked as candidates for China’s space programme

ISLAMABAD: China has selected two Pakistani astronauts as candidates for its manned space programme, according to a report carried by state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday.

Both candidates will travel to China for training, while one of them will later take part in a flight mission as a payload specialist. CCTV said that astronaut would become the first foreign astronaut to enter China’s space station.

Separately, China Daily identified the two selected candidates as Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud. The newspaper reported that both men had cleared several rounds of the selection process and would soon arrive in China to begin spaceflight training.

China Daily also quoted the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) as describing the selection and training of Pakistani astronauts as a landmark development for China’s space sector.

In a separate statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) said the two astronauts were preparing to leave for China to begin advanced astronaut training.

Training and mission plans

According to the reports, the two Pakistani candidates have already completed multiple stages of screening and selection. Their next phase will involve training in China under the country’s human spaceflight programme.

One of the two astronauts is expected to join a future mission in the role of payload specialist. CCTV said this would mark the first time a foreign astronaut participates in China’s space station programme.

The development represents a new stage in space cooperation involving Pakistan and China, as reflected in the official statements cited by the Chinese and Pakistani sides. The reports did not provide a timeline for the training period or the eventual mission.

The names of Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud were carried by China Daily, while CCTV reported the broader announcement regarding their selection, training in China and the planned participation of one astronaut in a future flight mission.

Suparco, in its statement released through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, confirmed that the selected astronauts were set to depart for China for advanced training, aligning with the details reported by Chinese state media.