ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said in an interview on Sunday that Pakistan is ready to send its first astronaut in space by 2022.
It was during his interview with a private news channel where he said that Pakistan is committed to sending its first astronaut to space by 2022. The selection process for the candidates will commence in 2020.
In the interview, he revealed that his ministry will shortlist 50 candidates in 2020. However, it will reach down to 25 candidates in 2022, and only one out of them will be sent to space. He added that Pakistan Airforce will play an important part in selecting the candidates for the mission.
He further told the interviewer that China will collaborate with Pakistan in its space venture, thus, strengthening Pak-China friendship in the field of science and technology.
He stated Pakistan was the second country in Asia after U.S.S.R to send its unmanned shuttle in space in 1963. Pakistan looks forward to collaborating with other countries in boosting technological knowledge.
A question raised by the interviewer in regards to India’s failed mission to space, Shakti, which could have posed dangers to the space missions of other countries. He replied to that with an offer to collaborate with India by saying that India and Pakistan can collaborate in science and technology, and it will be fruitful. The collaboration may set a benchmark for the region.
He concluded his interview by lauding and acknowledging the hard work of Pakistan Space Science Education Center. He stated that the Pakistan Space Science Education Center is playing an important role in promoting scientific activities and innovation in the country.
