India won the Asian space race to the Red Planet on Wednesday when its unmanned Mangalyaan successfully entered the Red Planet's orbit after a 10-month journey on a budget of just $74 million.
Despite having a space agency since 1961 Pakistan has not yet launched a satellite into orbit.
But Salim, the first Pakistani explorer to reach both poles, said India's achievement had made the region proud.
"The success of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), Mangalyaan, is a giant leap for South Asia," said Salim, who has booked a ticket on Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic space project planned for 2015.
"I commend the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and all its scientists and researchers for not only achieving this astronomical feat, but also for achieving it in the most cost-effective manner."
Pakistan has not yet officially congratulated India.
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@truthbetold: Refreshing to see you so much justify 'truthbetold'. In India from time to time waves of fundamentalists, who are grounded in past and spread misinformation, raise their ugly head. We are fortunate that to date they have not succeeded. For future we pray for the entire subcontinent.
Aaahhh! And I wondered when did Pakistan send a man to space. Then I noticed someone is expected to go to space and then wow, its a woman. But then it was mentioned that she has signed up with Virgin Galactic for Space Tour and then someone says she is not a Pakistani but a citizen of Monaco.... ET please dont compromise your respect by such kind of reporting.
I love it! First Pakistani (to sign up to go) in space (which is not really space but the outer reaches of the Earth if and when Branson's vanity project happens). You guys slay me. Intrepid explorer Namira Salim could have been reported as lurking under a burkha had the despicable Indians not hid all the veiled women scientists to give the erroneous impression that only sari-clad Hindu women scientists played a role in this interplanetary space mission.
How about this for a title? 'First Desi US President' congratulates Nawaz Sharif on holding on to be the PM of Pakistan!
Yeah, you never know, in the future, I could be the President of the US!
Stories need to have a better heading, maybe 'First Pakistani space aspirant....'
Well, I can only say this much: If the apparent dissatisfaction that the educated Netizens from Pakistan are showing here on this site is any indication of a public feeling, then I think the basic foundation to create a progressive Pakistan is getting laid. That is, a growing realization among the citizens of Pakistan that the basic cause of all de-growth in Pakistan is largely the religious interference, lack of political will, the unwarranted army/isi interference and lack of high end science education, then, well, you are going to recover pretty soon. Because accepting the truth and understanding of current state is perfect platform to set an "ideal state" for the situation concerned.
@Abdul Razak, Islamabad:
"No need to go to MARS to find out its composition. Every thing is already revealed in our Holy Book. If doubt, ask a long bearded Mullah."
Sarcasm noted. Yes, while Indian and the rest of the world are reaching out to progress, Pakistan is trying very hard to take the country back to barbaric, ignorant and primitive Arabia of 1500 years ago. What a difference between two countries born at the same time from the same parent!
@hassan: Brilliant idea from you. I propose that such Scotland type referendums must be held every 10 years in the subcontinent. May be Kerala, Sikkim or Shrilanka would like to join Pakistan or West Punjab of olden days and Baluchistan may like to join India. I think there may be many provinces who would like to be independent countries. This will help having hundreds of small countries. You are a genius where were you all these days may be your idea would have saved all the world wars.
If you really want to know how far behind pak is from india Google "first Indian in space" and see when it happened.
@hassan: Even as you day-dream about holding a referendum in Kashmir (though such an undertaking would be most suited to Baluchistan), have you ever thought of holding a referendum within Pakistan on whether it should like to join its former motherland India. You will be surprised at the result, despite some arrogant and ignorant Pakistanis would scoff at the idea. Conversely, after 65 years, Indians have not only given up hope of Pakistan wanting to come back to its fold in a reunified, democratic and secular India, Indians on the other hand are today saying that they are fortunate that Pakistan broke away from India and that it should stay away from India. Times have certainly changed, though you seem oblivious to these changes.
Pakistani attitude of commenting on poverty and toilets in India, well India may be short on toilets but India definitely does not have poilo infected children
@Praveen: In other words spend money and send children to schools to get some good liberal arts education, science, Maths etc. rather than to Madrasas. Give them religious education at home. Then all will be well!
In my view the real problems for Pakistan is over population and involvement of religion in Govt. functioning. To the lesser degree, India also suffers from over population.
@Rao Amjad Ali: not sending a mission would have given 10 rs to those 300 million. how would that have helped? if mankind just cared about poor and didn't invest in science and technology, mankind would have died with mosquito bytes. btw how rich is your nation to afford your cricket team??.
Forget Kashmir, Pakistan invested in terrorism more thsn its cspacity n now c the results. India reached Mars n Pak still down under. Invest in education firstly n leave the rest.
@Abdul Razak, Islamabad: Your comment made my day. Haha.
'First Pakistani in space' congratulates India on Mars mission
Seriously? The so called 'First Pakistani in space'...the news says...
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani explorer Namira Salim, expected to become her country’s first person in space, congratulated India on Thursday on reaching Mars on its maiden attempt....
....Salim, who has booked a ticket on Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic space project planned for 2015.
Namira Salim has never been to space. She has booked a flight in Virgin Galactic flight as a space-tourist, which is yet to happen. Pakistan get your facts right. Any one can book a flight.
No need to go to MARS to find out its composition. Every thing is already revealed in our Holy Book. If doubt, ask a long bearded Mullah.
Pakistan is exploring Afghanistan, Kashmir and fake propaganda missions for last 66 years. This is Pakistan title where pre-Islamic Arab crisis on grounds. Pakistan is No. 1 in; crimes, institutional monopoly, propaganda, worst corruption, misuse of faith, power and ideology. While is the 1st country who dam care about his Nation....survival of the fastest.
Pakistan and India posses a lot of capacity in terms of wisdom and intellect , the day they prosper when they stop thinking themselves as enemies , rather healthy competitor , not blaming but congratulating each other's achievements. The Day they putting aside there differences ,webbing conspiracies against each others , the progress than any other nation in this world.
It's actually a matter of national vision and priorities. Some nations realise more than others that space colonisation is inevitable for humans to survive beyond next 3-4 generations. Others are still grappling with the confusion whether polio vaccine is halal or not.
India was going down the drain during last 10 year, and now the whole country can't hold its excitement back.
One individual can make such a difference (Zia, anyone?)!
Let us hope Pakistan can find that individual and we will fly together, definitely past China.
@Extraordinary - India's space program merits commendation.
As for Indians being more practical, remember there are 300 million people who permanently live on the pavements of India without any social safety net and the country has the highest number of AIDS patients in the world.
If she has not been to space already, how come she is cited as space explorer???? The headline should be " the first Pakistani would be in space " . Any way, she booked a ticket for flight in 2015 which still has to go through.
When rockets,bombs and grenades are being launched regularly on the civilians why bother about space rockets or launches!
Don't worry we have Buraq
@hassan: Dear Brother Hassan; get over Kashmir, proxy-wars, divisions, hatred, and obsession with competing with India. Get busy building Pakistan through education, science, math, good governance, a functional and just judiciary, and respecting people of every religion and sect, and rejecting jihadi religious extremism, false religious teachings, disassociating religion with the business of the state (M.A. Jinnah) - such that any person, both Pakistanis and foreigners, can be proud of, inclined to be associated with, cooperate with, and stand with Pakistan. With safety, security, good health, education, opportunities; all issues including Kashmir and Balochistan will be taken care of in far less time than what Pakistan has wasted in the past 67 years. Remarked with good intentions and I hope that ET would publish it because Pakistan is so scared of any criticism about its religious problems.
@Jonaid: No I did not make it for you but a generic one. What the Indians have done is real research into inter-planetary exploration at 1/10th the cost of the Americans. They are reaching out for the stars while we are reaching out for our groins. I just don't want our lot shooting anything straight up into the sky for fear of injuring ourselves. Better to be careful rather than stupid.
The country that sweeps hero scientists like Dr. Abdul Salam under the rug and labelles Dr. Hoodbhoy as "Jaahil" (derogatory illiterate) ought to have their 'heroes' in terrorist celebrities or protects like Osama. Terrorism and fanaticism is a bad investment but education definitely is a very good investment and just acknowledging our scientists and giving them good name and funds can be a good start to begin with.
In fact, one more Pakistani is going to make it to space soon who is none other than Nawaz Sharif. Imran Khan has already paid ISRO for his one way trip to Moon and he will be a passenger in India's next manned mission to Moon.
@Extraordinary !: A simple thank-you nod would have sufficed, but you're an Indian.
@Jonaid: come on boy. You are taking it very hard
are you kidding me "Virgin Galactic space project " is a pub floating in space and a new sector in the tourism except it is in space...calling them space explorers is an insult to every guy who is ever been to space so far...kindly don't insult the people sitting in ISS...and the above photo was taken by ISRO's MOM so please use the courtesy logo
Thanks to army poking its nose in SUPARCO, NESCOM, KRL etc, demoralizing Pakistani scientists, we are reduced to nothing nut a bloodbath and terrorism, all thanks to martial laws.
@Sodomite: If this comment is for me, please note, i am not praising of making any bomb. I am criticizing on the policies adopted by our Governments since 4 to 5 decades.
Must watch - Hitler's reaction to MOM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCB3XHGq3cg
The title suggests that person have been in Space but the news suggests that he is only an explorer ... ???
Namira Salim is NOT Pakistani. She is a citizen of Monaco. She has lived her entire life outside of Pakistan in Europe and Dubai.
Pakistan should not launch anything that flies above our heads. It is bound to fall back and injure or kill us. Lets remain within ourselves.
Since 1961 we have not yet able to launch any Satellite in Space. Don't worry we were regularly celebrating 28 May under the NS Government Rule. It is enough for us.
In my opinion what would make 'South Asia really proud' is holding Scotland type referendums, from Kashmir to Balochistan.