BEIJING/ISLAMABAD – China has selected two Pakistani astronauts as candidates for its manned space program, marking the first time foreign nationals will train for missions to the Tiangong space station .
Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud were chosen following a three-stage selection process involving preliminary screening in Pakistan and advanced evaluations at the Astronaut Centre of China in Beijing . The selection was completed in early April 2026 .
Both candidates will soon travel to China for training as reserve astronauts. After completing all required training and passing assessments, one will be selected as a payload specialist to join a future Shenzhou mission, becoming the first foreign astronaut to enter China’s space station . The mission is planned for launch in late 2026 .
The cooperation is based on a bilateral agreement signed in Islamabad in February 2025 between the China Manned Space Agency and Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) .
During the mission, the Pakistani astronaut will conduct scientific experiments in microgravity, spanning material science, fluid physics, life sciences, and biotechnology, with potential applications for climate resilience, food security, and industrial innovation .
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended SUPARCO’s efforts, terming the development “a harbinger of deep space exploration” and “yet another testimony” of Pakistan-China friendship . The China Manned Space Agency described the selection as a “landmark event in the history of China’s space industry”
