
SUPARCO confirms successful deployment of Pakistan's advanced remote sensing satellite
The satellite was launched on July 31, 2025, from China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), said a press release by SUPARCO.
The press release said that the satellite established stable communication with ground stations and has begun transmitting high-resolution images, enabling the availability of data for various national sectors.
'The satellite possesses high-quality imaging capabilities that will revolutionize urban planning, infrastructure development, and regional planning, while also assisting in monitoring urban expansion and development trends,' the press release said.
It added that the satellite will also strengthen disaster management systems by providing timely alerts for floods, landslides, and earthquakes.
The satellite will also support improved agricultural productivity by mapping crop patterns and enhancing water resource management, thereby contributing to food security, added the statement.
'In addition, it will play a vital role in national development projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), enabling mapping of transport networks, identification of geohazards, and efficient utilization of resources.'
Pakistan has made notable progress in its space research efforts in recent months.
Earlier this year, China launched Pakistan's indigenously developed Electro-Optical satellite EO-1 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, aimed at disaster prediction and resource management.
In November last year, SUPARCO revealed plans to send its lunar rover as part of China's Chang'E 8 mission slated for 2028.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
SUPARCO confirms successful deployment of Pakistan's advanced remote sensing satellite
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) announced on Saturday the successful deployment and operational readiness of the country's advanced remote sensing satellite. The satellite was launched on July 31, 2025, from China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), said a press release by SUPARCO. The press release said that the satellite established stable communication with ground stations and has begun transmitting high-resolution images, enabling the availability of data for various national sectors. 'The satellite possesses high-quality imaging capabilities that will revolutionize urban planning, infrastructure development, and regional planning, while also assisting in monitoring urban expansion and development trends,' the press release said. It added that the satellite will also strengthen disaster management systems by providing timely alerts for floods, landslides, and earthquakes. The satellite will also support improved agricultural productivity by mapping crop patterns and enhancing water resource management, thereby contributing to food security, added the statement. 'In addition, it will play a vital role in national development projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), enabling mapping of transport networks, identification of geohazards, and efficient utilization of resources.' Pakistan has made notable progress in its space research efforts in recent months. Earlier this year, China launched Pakistan's indigenously developed Electro-Optical satellite EO-1 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, aimed at disaster prediction and resource management. In November last year, SUPARCO revealed plans to send its lunar rover as part of China's Chang'E 8 mission slated for 2028.


Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan at crossroads
Since its birth in 1947, Pakistan has journeyed through triumphs, turbulence, and tenacity. Forged in the crucible of Partition, it inherited fractured infrastructure, a fragile economy, and a volatile neighbourhood. Yet within decades, Pakistan defied odds—building institutions, nurturing civil society, and asserting strategic relevance. Today, the question is no longer what went wrong. It is: how do we finally get it right? Pakistan's early years were defined by institutional consolidation and diplomatic agility. The establishment of a robust military, a functioning bureaucracy, and a legal framework laid the foundation for statecraft. The Green Revolution in agriculture, the Indus Basin irrigation system, and major dams like Tarbela and Mangla transformed food security and energy access. In science and technology, Pakistan made bold strides. The nuclear program -culminating in the 1998 tests - was a testament to strategic resolve. SUPARCO, though underfunded, laid early groundwork for satellite development. In medicine and philanthropy, figures like Abdul Sattar Edhi and Dr. Adeeb Rizvi built institutions that rival global benchmarks. Pakistan also produced two Nobel laureates whose achievements continue to inspire. Dr. Abdus Salam, a theoretical physicist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work in electroweak theory. Malala Yousafzai - the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate - became a beacon for youth empowerment and gender equity. Karachi, once the beating heart of Pakistan's commercial enterprise; Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was not only a symbol of national pride - it was a global leader; helping launch Emirates, Air Malta, and other carriers. Culturally, Pakistan's literary, musical, and artistic heritage flourished. From Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poetry to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's qawwali, Pakistan projected soft power that transcended borders. In sports, Pakistan once dominated the global stage - world champions in hockey, squash, and cricket. The 1992 World Cup win united a divided nation, while legends like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan inspired generations. Yet these achievements coexist with chronic underperformance. Political instability -punctuated by military coups, judicial overreach, and dynastic politics - has eroded democratic continuity. Civil-military imbalance remains a structural fault line, often stalling reform and undermining civilian authority. Economic mismanagement has been another Achilles' heel. Despite abundant natural resources - coal, copper, gas, and fertile land - Pakistan has struggled with fiscal discipline, tax reform, and industrial diversification. Reliance on foreign aid and IMF bailouts has created a cycle of dependency, stifling innovation and self-reliance. Education and health sectors remain underfunded and unevenly distributed. Literacy rates hover below regional averages; public health infrastructure is overstretched; brain drains continues to sap talent, while youth unemployment fuels disillusionment. Security challenges - ranging from terrorism to sectarian violence - have diverted resources and attention from development. The war on terror cost: thousands of lives lost, billions spent, and a tarnished global image. Why Pakistan has not realized its potential The answer lies in a convergence of internal contradictions and external pressures. Internally, Pakistan has struggled to build consensus on national priorities. Ethnic divisions, provincial disparities, and ideological polarization have fragmented policymaking. The absence of long-term planning - replaced by reactive governance - has led to policy reversals and institutional fatigue. Externally, Pakistan's geopolitical location - while strategic - has often been a double-edged sword. Entanglements in Cold War alliances, the Afghan conflict, and regional rivalries have shaped foreign policy more than domestic imperatives. Strategic depth often came at the expense of economic breadth. Moreover, Pakistan's elite capture - where a narrow segment controls wealth, influence, and policy - has perpetuated inequality and stifled meritocracy. Land reforms were never fully implemented. Industrial cartels and monopolies have resisted competition. The disconnect between governance and grassroots needs remains stark. The tragedy of East Pakistan's secession in 1971 was a watershed moment - born of political neglect, economic disparity, and cultural alienation. Yet, half a century later, the lessons remain unlearned. In Balochistan, similar patterns of marginalization persist. Pakistan must treat every province not as a periphery, but as a partner. The path forward: Six pillars of renewal: Institutional reform and rule of law: Strengthen democratic institutions, ensure judicial independence, and depoliticize civil services. Accountability must be institutional - not episodic. Economic diversification and innovation: Move beyond textiles and agriculture. Invest in IT, renewable energy, and value-added manufacturing. Reform taxation and document the informal economy. Education and human capital: Declare a national education emergency. Reform curricula, train teachers, and expand vocational and digital learning. Scale public-private partnerships in health and education; Regional connectivity and peace diplomacy: Pivot from confrontation to cooperation. Trade with neighbours, cultural exchanges and regional infrastructure can build trust and strategic depth. Climate resilience and sustainability: Prioritize water management, reforestation, and disaster preparedness. Integrate green infrastructure into urban planning. Civic engagement and narrative sovereignty: Reclaim Pakistan's story. Empower youth, promote pluralism, and foster inclusive discourse through media, academia, and civil society. A nation waiting to rise Pakistan's journey has been neither linear nor easy - but its resilience is undeniable. It has weathered wars, disasters, and internal strife. What it now demands is not just reform, but renewal. A new social contract - rooted in equity, accountability, and aspiration - can unlock the promise long deferred. Pakistan's potential is not theoretical - it is tangible. It lives in its classrooms and clinics, its startups and studios, its villages and cities. It pulses through the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan, the deserts of Thar, the shores of Gwadar, and the streets of Karachi - once a global aviation hub and cradle of commercial dynamism. It echoes in the hopes of Balochistan's youth - long marginalized, now central to the nation's future. The time for hesitation is over. The time for transformation is now. The article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Business Recorder or its owners.


Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Sesame project targets 5,000-tonne exports
Listen to article On August 11, a delegation from the Silk Road Biohealth Agriculture Industry Alliance of Northwest A&F University (NWAFU) visited the Biohealth Sesame Order Demonstration Farm in Sahiwal, Punjab. The farm operates under the China-Pakistan Biohealth Agriculture (BHA) Overseas Technology Demonstration Park. Built jointly by China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), NWAFU, and Pakistan's Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, the project introduced high-quality Chinese sesame varieties and advanced production technologies. "Through experiments, we identified varieties suited to Pakistan and developed technical standards for bio-healthy sesame production," said project leader Professor Zhang Lixin. Pakistani students trained at NWAFU, including Dr Ammar, now serve as core technical personnel. Harvested sesame undergoes initial processing at CMEC plants, with testing in a joint lab. Qualified products are exported to China for use in food, pharmaceuticals, and industry. The project has set up 12 standardised farms covering 500 acres, working with over 120 farmers under a contract farming model. Last year's first contracted crop exported about 3,500 tonnes to China. By 2025, exports are expected to reach 5,000 tonnes, creating over 500 long-term local jobs. The farm aims to expand to 50,000 acres, producing around 23,000 tonnes, over 5% of Pakistan's sesame area. Pakistan currently grows sesame on about 1 million acres, producing 350,000450,000 tonnes annually, though weather causes fluctuations. Torrential rains last year cut output to 310,000 tonnes. Zhang noted that wider adoption of advanced technology could push yields in good years above 500,000 tonnes. Local sesame varieties mostly come from the TS and TH series. Of 10 experimental varieties tested, four exceeded yields of 130 kg per mu (0.165 acres), with the highest at 230 kg. These results, from internal trials, require larger-scale testing. Rainfall, sunlight, and fertilisation all strongly affect yields, making seasonal adaptation and weather-based measures vital. Future plans include online seminars, farm visits, and training programmes, covering flood-resistant varieties, special fertilisers, biopesticides, drone spraying, mechanised harvesting, and smart farm management. "The bio-health industry chain model linking enterprises, universities, and farms will help bio-health agriculture continues to prosper and develop in Pakistan," Zhang said.