A Pakistani astronaut will join China's Shenzhou 24 spacecraft crew, becoming the first foreign national to board Beijing's space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency reported by Xinhua on Saturday.
The astronaut will complete a short flight and return to Earth aboard Shenzhou 23, though the launch date was not specified. This mission marks the first joint flight involving Chinese and foreign astronauts in China's manned space program.
Two Pakistani candidates, Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, began training earlier this year alongside Chinese counterparts. One will be selected as a payload specialist for the short-term mission. Training included hands-on operational capabilities and intensive Chinese language instruction.
The flight stems from an agreement signed by China and Pakistan in February 2025.