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Pakistan shows interest in UAE's space programme

Dubai - Pakistan seeks alliance with UAE in areas such as satellite manufacturing.

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The Pakistan space agency is in talks with the UAE on developing collaboration in space-related activities, a top official from Pakistan has revealed.

Pakistan was taking part in the Global Space Congress for the first time, where they shed light on their satellite-related projects.

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), a Pakistani government entity that falls under the country's space agency, was representing Pakistan at the event.

Pakistan's focus on space has been increasing in the past few years. It currently has four remote-sensing and communications satellites in total -- two ground stations and two in orbit. It also plans on sending its first astronaut into space by 2022.

"We are in initial talks with the UAE for potential collaboration," the secretary of Suparco, Dr Arif Ali, told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the event.

"We have initial talks with them (the UAE) and our participation in this year's congress is to have cooperation with UAE's space sector, particularly in our strong areas such as satellite manufacturing and related-applications. If you have more satellites in space, then you have more opportunities of having international collaboration. At the same time, you gain something for your country and offer something beneficial for humanity. We believe in the peaceful use of outer space."

sarwat@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai