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Pakistan has achieved another significant milestone in its human spaceflight program with the successful completion of the second phase of selecting astronauts. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), after initial screening, two candidates have been shortlisted for further evaluation. The shortlisted candidates have undergone comprehensive medical and psychological tests in China, and will subsequently receive training in spaceflight at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center.
Following the training, one of the candidates will be selected for a space mission in October, while the other will be selected in November. This development comes after Pakistan and China signed a bilateral agreement on cooperation in space exploration in February 2025.
ISPR stated that the two countries had agreed on the terms of the agreement under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who had envisioned and facilitated the country’s participation in space exploration. The organization also highlighted that China had chosen Pakistan as its first international partner in its space program, reflecting the strong support of the Chinese government for this historic initiative.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior has emphasized that evidence shows that the planning, training, and indoctrination of the attacker were carried out by Daesh in Afghanistan, under the patronage of the Afghan Taliban. The Taliban’s terror network remains a significant threat to regional peace.
In other news, a court has sentenced the former Interior Minister, Iman Mazari, and her husband, Hadi Ali Chatha, to 17 years in prison each on charges related to a case of electronic crime. The United Nations has condemned the terrorist attack on the Islamabad mosque and expressed solidarity with the Pakistani government and people against terrorism and extremism.
In a significant development, the Supreme Court has registered a case on the issue of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members’ protest outside the court. The Registrar of the Supreme Court has met with PTI leaders, while Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial has been approached by PTI lawyer Salman Akram Raja.
Former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has stated that Pakistan is facing difficulties due to its flawed political structure. Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider has emphasized that India cannot subjugate the Pakistani nation through terrorism. Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has called for unity among Pakistanis, saying that the arrival of spring is a moment of joy that brings people together.
In a statement, Atta Tarar has highlighted the need to eradicate terrorism from its roots. The Pakistan Cricket Board spokesperson has accused the Indian media of spreading false information, while Bollywood actor Imran Khan has launched a scathing attack on three major superstars in the Indian film industry.
