Pakistani envoy calls satellite launch a significant milestone

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi has said that launch of a multi mission communications satellite was yet another significant milestone in Pakistan’s space program and another chapter in space cooperation between Pakistan and China.

China successfully launched the multi-mission communication satellite for Pakistan using a Long March-3B rocket, with the launch taking place at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan. The satellite has entered its planned orbit. The launch was the 524th mission of the Long March rocket series.

“At the launch site of Multi Mission Communication Satellite in Xichang with @betterpakistan & Chairman SUPARCO. Yet another significant milestone in space programme & another chapter in space cooperation,” the ambassador posted on social media platform X.

The Pakistan Spa­ce and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) had last week announced the launch of the country’s multi-mission communication satellite from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Centre.

The country had launched its historic first satellite earlier this month as part of China’s Chang’e-6 lunar mission from Hainan.

An official statement said the satellite would “provide the best internet facilities across Pakistan” and also help improve television broadcasts, cellular phones and broadband services. It added that the satellite will begin providing service in August.