
Pakistan hails ‘significant milestone' as satellite launched with China to boost disaster response, food security
The launch marks another step in Pakistan's growing engagement with outer space with Chinese assistance. The two countries are also preparing to send the first Pakistani astronaut into space aboard China's Tiangong space station, with training programs currently underway.
'Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the National Space Agency of Pakistan, proudly announces a historic achievement with the successful launch of Remote Sensing Satellite from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), China,' SUPARCO said in a statement.
'Remote Sensing Satellite will provide imaging capabilities to revolutionize urban planning, disaster management, food security and environmental protection,' it added. 'It will also greatly aid in monitoring climate change, managing water resources, mapping agricultural patterns and tracking deforestation.'
The satellite was launched with technical cooperation from the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) and MICROSAT China.
SUPARCO said the satellite will also support national development initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by mapping transportation networks and identifying geohazard risks.
The statement noted the launch would serve as the foundation for an integrated Earth Observation System aimed at supporting national priorities and sustainable development.
It informed that Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also praised the efforts of engineers and technical experts from both countries, calling the launch a symbol of 'unwavering commitment to technological progress.'
Hashtags

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


Arab News
15 hours ago
- Arab News
Dogs of war: China touts killer robot ‘wolves'
BEIJING: China's latest gun-toting quadruped military 'wolf' robots are designed to stealthily approach enemies, fire precise shots on targets and work in rough terrain, state media said on Wednesday. State broadcaster CCTV said the robots, an upgrade from earlier robotic dog iterations, can replace human soldiers in dangerous conditions to reduce combat casualties. China has poured support into robotics, an area in which some experts say it might already have the upper hand over the United States. Its military has been keen to showcase its defense innovation — including weapons incorporating advanced technology like robodogs — during drills with countries like Cambodia. In a video posted by CCTV on Wednesday, the newest iteration of the robot 'wolves' carries a rifle on its back, marching into a smoke-filled battlefield. The agile machines climb up flights of stairs, carry heavy backpacks and launch attacks on dummies, clips showed. While they look almost identical to the military's robodogs, the 'wolves' have improved 'reconnaissance and strike capabilities,' CCTV said. 'They can navigate various terrains and carry out precision strikes from up to 100 meters (328 feet) away,' it added. During war, the robots would be able to operate like a real wolf pack, dividing tasks and coordinating with each other, state media said. At the front of the unit would be the 'pack leader,' responsible for gathering target information and transmitting reconnaissance imagery, CCTV said. Others would be in charge of shooting at enemies or carrying supplies and ammunition, it added. These new robots could signal that the future battlefield will be more automated and deadly, said Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore. It is 'in part to instill national pride domestically, but also to intimidate potential adversaries externally,' Chong said.

Al Arabiya
15 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
China tackles chikungunya virus outbreak with wide range of measures as thousands fall ill
An outbreak of the chikungunya virus in China has prompted authorities to take preventive measures from mosquito nets and clouds of disinfectant, threatening fines for people who fail to disperse standing water and even deploying drones to hunt down insect breeding grounds. More than 7,000 cases of the disease have been reported as of Wednesday, focused largely on the manufacturing hub of Foshan near Hong Kong. Numbers of new cases appear to be dropping slowly, according to authorities. Chikungunya is spread by mosquitoes and causes fever and joint pain, similar to dengue fever, with the young, older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions most at risk. Chinese state television has shown workers spraying clouds of disinfectant around city streets, residential areas, construction sites and other areas where people may come into contact with virus-bearing mosquitos that are born in standing water. Workers sprayed some places before entering office buildings, a throwback to China's controversial hardline tactics used to battle the COVID-19 virus. People who do not empty bottles, flower pots or other outdoor receptacles can be subject to fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) and have their electricity cut off. The US has issued a travel advisory telling citizens not to visit China's Guangdong province, the location of Donguan and several other business hubs, along with countries such as Bolivia and island nations in the Indian Ocean. Brazil is among the other countries hit hard by the virus. Heavy rains and high temperatures have worsened the crisis in China, which is generally common in tropical areas but came on unusually strong this year. China has become adept at coercive measures that many nations consider over-the-top since the deadly 2003 SARS outbreak. This time, patients are being forced to stay in hospital in Foshan for a minimum of one week and authorities briefly enforced a two-week home quarantine, which was dropped since the disease cannot be transmitted between people. Reports also have emerged of attempts to stop the virus spread with fish that eat mosquito larvae and even larger mosquitos to eat the insects carrying the virus. Meetings have been held and protocols adopted at the national level in a sign of China's determination to eliminate the outbreak and avoid public and international criticism.


Arab News
18 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistani students clinch medal haul at International Nuclear Science Olympiad in Malaysia
ISLAMABAD: A team of Pakistani students has secured four medals at the 2nd International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO-2025), marking a significant achievement for the country in global science education, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Wednesday. Held in Malaysia from July 30 to August 5 under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the competition brought together young science talents from 19 countries, including China, Japan, Singapore, Turkiye, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. The Pakistani team was trained by top faculty from the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), one of the country's premier institutions for nuclear and engineering education. 'Pakistani students secured one Gold, one Silver, and two Bronze medals at the 2nd International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO-2025), held in Malaysia from July 30 to August 5,' APP reported. The team's standout performers included Muhammad Tayyab Bukhari from Beaconhouse School Abbottabad, who won the gold medal, and Ammar Asad Warraich from Siddique Public School Islamabad, who claimed silver. Two other members, Rawah Javed and Tatheer Aima Naqvi, students of Siddique Public School Islamabad and Chenab College Jhang, respectively, earned bronze medals. The team was led by Dr. Sajjad Tahir of PIEAS and Dr. Muhammad Maqsood from the Directorate of Education at the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), who 'played an instrumental role in preparing the students for the competition,' APP reported. Organizers described the Olympiad as a platform to promote excellence in nuclear science and foster international collaboration among future scientists. 'This achievement underscores Pakistan's growing prominence in the field of nuclear science and technology education,' the APP report said. The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, which operates under the umbrella of Pakistan's strategic nuclear and civil energy programs, has invested heavily in science outreach programs. It continues 'to provide young students with the platforms and mentorship needed to excel internationally, not just in nuclear research, but also in its applications across agriculture, medicine, industry, and education,' APP said.