Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal declared on Thursday that Pakistan and China’s friendship has now extended beyond earthly borders, reaching into the vast expanse of space. His remarks came during the launch ceremony of Pakistan’s fourth Earth observation satellite, developed in collaboration with China.

Speaking at the event, Ahsan Iqbal hailed the successful launch as a milestone achievement in Pakistan’s space journey. “Today, Pakistan has taken a giant leap in space technology by launching its fourth Earth observation satellite. This is not just a technological success, but also a symbol of our enduring friendship with China,” he said.

The newly launched satellite is designed to enhance Pakistan’s capabilities in capturing high-resolution images and conducting remote sensing. According to Iqbal, it will be instrumental in disaster management, agricultural planning, food security, and urban development.

“This satellite will take Pak-China friendship to new heights — quite literally,” he added. “It showcases not just our technological progress, but the strength of our bilateral partnership.”

He described the mission as a manifestation of national ambition and vision. “We are not just launching a satellite; we are sending a dream and a vision into space — one that envisions Pakistan as a future leader in space science, powered by innovation, collaboration, and determination.”

Ahsan Iqbal also outlined Pakistan’s long-term ambitions in space exploration, stating the country aims to send a Pakistani spacecraft to the Moon by 2035. “Our goal is to inspire the younger generation, attract global expertise, and position Pakistan as a serious player in the global space economy.”

Reflecting on the nation’s history in space science, he noted that Pakistan was among the first developing countries to enter the space race, having established its Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) in 1961. Since then, several milestones have been achieved, including Badr-I (1990), PAKSAT-1 (2011), PRSS-1 (2018), and now PAKSAT MM1 (2024).

Today’s satellite launch, Iqbal said, marks another significant chapter in that legacy.

He concluded by reaffirming the depth of Pakistan-China relations: “Our friendship with China is higher than the Himalayas, deeper than the oceans, and sweeter than honey. Now, we’ve taken that friendship to space. China has always stood by Pakistan — from defense to economic cooperation and infrastructure development through CPEC. Now, this partnership is making its mark in space exploration.”

The event marks a new era of scientific collaboration and strategic partnership between the two nations — one that aims to turn vision into reality far beyond Earth’s atmosphere.