Pakistan has taken a giant leap in space exploration by shortlisting two candidates for its Human Spaceflight Programme, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Saturday. These candidates were selected by China’s Astronauts Centre of China (ACC) after passing thorough medical, psychological, and aptitude tests aligned with global standards. The move follows an agreement signed in February 2025 between Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) and China’s Manned Space Agency (CMSA). As per this deal, both candidates will undergo six months of advanced astronaut training in China. One of them will join a space mission aboard China’s Tiangong space station scheduled for October or November 2026. The ISPR highlighted the important role of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in making this milestone possible. "This landmark initiative also reflects the strong support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China," the ISPR said, noting Pakistan is the first foreign partner in China’s astronaut program. China’s CMSA confirmed that the chosen astronaut will perform scientific experiments for Pakistan and carry out regular crew duties on the station. CMSA spokesperson Lin Xiqiang stated the selection process mirrors the rigorous three-stage method used for Chinese astronauts. This collaboration comes as China builds global partnerships for its space program, especially after being barred from the International Space Station by the US since 2011. Pakistan’s venture into manned spaceflight with China signals a new era for its space research and international cooperation.