Ahsan Iqbal Hails “Higher Than the Skies” Pakistan-China Space Cooperation in Interview with CGTN Digital

Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, has termed his recent visit to China a resounding success, underscoring the deepening strategic ties between Pakistan and China—this time extending beyond the earth, into space.

In a high-profile interview with Shen Shiwei, a senior journalist at CGTN Digital, Minister Iqbal eloquently stated, “We used to say that Pakistan-China friendship is higher than the Himalayas. But with this space cooperation, we can very well say that Pakistan-China cooperation is higher than the skies.”

His remarks came shortly after witnessing the successful launch of the Pakistan Remote-Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province on July 31. The launch marks a major milestone in Pakistan’s technological collaboration with China and demonstrates Islamabad’s growing commitment to advancing its capabilities in remote sensing, satellite imagery, and space science.

The minister’s visit, which concluded on August 4, included high-level meetings with Chinese officials and field visits to key institutions involved in space research, digital innovation, and development cooperation.

Ahsan Iqbal praised China’s unwavering support in helping Pakistan achieve self-reliance in advanced technologies, calling the PRSS-1 mission “a symbol of mutual trust, shared ambition, and visionary partnership.” He added that space cooperation would play a vital role in disaster management, urban planning, agriculture, and national security for Pakistan.

The interview, widely circulated by CGTN Digital, has been seen as a reaffirmation of the iron-clad friendship between Pakistan and China, with many observers noting that the bilateral relationship is entering a new era—one marked by technological leapfrogging and shared progress beyond borders.

The successful satellite launch is also being viewed as a major diplomatic win for Pakistan at a time when regional and global technological partnerships are becoming ever more critical to national development agendas.