A happy lift-off

Pakistan’s space programme seems to be gathering momentum. Without much ado, the official state-run Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) launched not one but two satellites in July of this year. While Pakistanis were obsessed with the elections, Suparco scientists proceeded to accomplish this feat, sending the satellites via a launching station in China. There is a sense of pride for the nation that should accompany this news. However, there are also several consternations regarding the launch.

Determination may have been renewed with a new government in power but alas, we remain a developing country. Poverty continues to grip a significant portion of the population, the infrastructure across provinces remains dilapidated, law and order are still only principles in theory, and extremism among other obtuse mentalities and traditions keep wreaking havoc. Therefore, allocating resources to a space programme is premature at this time. In contrast, even leaders of developed nations are criticised for hefty expenditures on space programmes, such as President Donald Trump’s proposal for a Space Force. With high poverty levels and basic resources scant, a project to launch satellites into space for remote sensing was a bit bold. Never mind the pressure from other scientists to improve Pakistan’s programme based on what India, the US or China have achieved. Those countries have conquered most of their problems or have worked out viable systems for battling national issues like security, employment, and meeting basic healthcare and education needs of the majority of their citizens.

Indeed, it is a great feat for Pakistan to be recognised as having an active space programme. Long-term plans to bolster it would be welcome and by no means should scientists stop educating about astronomy and the matter that comprises the universe. Nevertheless, spending on such programmes should receive more scrutiny in the future as more taxes are collected from citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2018.

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