Pakistan has joined an ambitious project led by China to establish a research station on the moon’s enigmatic south pole, an area brimming with scientific intrigue.
Pakistan’s interim Prime Minister, Anwar ul Haq Kakar, currently attending the Third Belt and Road Forum in China, witnessed the signing of an initial cooperation agreement with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing.
The collaboration, as announced by the China National Space Administration, encompasses various aspects of the Chinese lunar base program, including engineering and operations. China, aspiring to become a prominent space player by 2030, has already garnered support from countries like Russia, Venezuela, and South Africa. They have set a goal to send their astronauts to the moon’s surface by the end of this decade.
This lunar outpost project aligns with NASA’s ambitious Artemis program, which aims to return American astronauts to the moon’s surface in December 2025, barring any delays. India recently made history by becoming the first country to reach the unexplored south pole of the moon, an area perpetually hidden from Earth’s view, in August. They achieved a soft landing, marking the fourth country in the world to land on the moon.
Both the United States and India have plans to send astronauts to the moon, with the U.S. targeting 2025 and India looking toward 2040. The last time humans set foot on the moon was during the U.S. Apollo program in 1972.
PM Kakar Stresses The Need To Strengthen Pak-China Friendship
On Friday, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar emphasized that it is the opportune moment to enhance the friendship between Pakistan and China.
“In Pakistan, we consider a good neighbor to be a valuable asset. In this context, we are fortunate to have China as a strong brother, neighbor, partner, and friend. The time has come to further enhance this friendship. Let’s work together to chart a new path towards peace, prosperity, and mutually beneficial development,” Kakar stated during his address to students and faculty at Xinjiang University in China’s Urumqi.
A day prior, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to solidify their partnership, with Kakar asserting that Islamabad would not allow anything to undermine the strategic alliance with Beijing. This pledge was renewed during a delegation-level meeting between the caretaker prime minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of People during the 3rd Belt and Road Forum.
