ISLAMABAD
\nFederal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday highlighted the importance of advancing in space technology to accelerate Pakistan\u2019s development pace and equip its youth to meet future challenges.
\nAddressing the closing ceremony of World Space Week at a Model College for Girls, the minister said the government was according special focus to space research as it played a crucial role in national progress, economic growth and global competitiveness.
\n\u201cYou will be happy to know that, by the grace of Allah Almighty, next year Pakistan\u2019s first astronaut will enter space and participate in experiments aboard China\u2019s space station,\u201d he informed the participant.
\nHe further said that Pakistan\u2019s space agency had also been tasked with pursuing a moon mission by 2035.
\n\u201cAhsan Iqbal noted that civilizations have historically risen through their commitment to knowledge and scientific exploration, and declined when they neglected them.\u201d
\n\u201cWhenever Islamic civilization was at its peak \u2013 in Baghdad or Muslim Spain \u2013 our scholars were the world\u2019s leading astrophysicists,\u201d he remarked. But when we broke our connection with science and research, we began to decline and became dependent on others for knowledge,\u201d he added.
\nReferring to the current global scenario, he said nations that invested in human resource development and technology had gained influence and control.
\n\u201cA country of ten million people has dominated two billion Muslims because it invested in education, science and technology,\u201d he observed, calling for renewed focus on research and innovation.
\nHe urged students to rekindle their curiosity and passion for discovery. \u201cIf we want our young generation to remain hopeful, creative and capable of leading the nation, we must connect them with space exploration,\u201d he emphasized.
\nThe minister said space research expanded children\u2019s intellectual capacity and inspired a culture of inquiry essential for progress.
\n\u201cSpace sciences now underpin every field \u2013 from communication and defense to climate monitoring \u2013 and no country can progress without investing in them,\u201d he added.
\nEarlier, the minister visited a space exhibition, took part in a symbolic space-walk and planted a sapling at the college.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday highlighted the importance of advancing in space technology to accelerate Pakistan\u2019s development pace and equip its youth to meet future challenges. Addressing the closing ceremony of World Space Week at a Model College for Girls, the minister said the government was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":476986,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-507931","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n