China-Pakistan space collaboration reflects geopolitical tech alliances amid global space race and South-South cooperation gaps

Pakistan’s space program, while state-led, has benefited from diaspora Pakistani scientists and engineers in the West who contribute to its development, highlighting the role of transnational knowledge flows. Indigenous perspectives in Pakistan’s space sector are often sidelined in favor of top-down military or state-driven initiatives, reflecting a broader pattern of technocratic governance in Global South space programs. Traditional knowledge systems, such as those in astronomy practiced by indigenous communities in Pakistan, are rarely integrated into modern space science.

The China-Pakistan space collaboration echoes Cold War-era South-South alliances, such as India’s early space cooperation with the Soviet Union, which laid the groundwork for its indigenous space program. Pakistan’s exclusion from Western space programs due to its nuclear program and alliance with China in the 1960s-70s created a dependency on alternative partnerships, a pattern that persists today. The Tiangong station’s development mirrors the historical trajectory of the ISS, but with a distinctly non-Western governance model, reflecting shifts in global power structures.

In Africa, space collaborations with China are often framed as part of a broader decolonization effort, with countries like Nigeria and Ethiopia viewing China as a partner in reducing reliance on Western space infrastructure. The Muslim world’s engagement with space, from Saudi Arabia’s astronaut program to Pakistan’s selection, reflects a blend of religious symbolism and technological ambition, where spaceflight is seen as a modern manifestation of Islamic scientific heritage. However, these collaborations also risk reproducing colonial-era power dynamics, where Global South nations become dependent on external technological patronage.

China’s Tiangong station is a modular space station designed for long-duration missions, with advanced life support and experimental facilities, positioning it as a competitor to the ISS. The selection of Pakistani astronauts for payload specialist roles suggests a focus on microgravity experiments and Earth observation, aligning with Pakistan’s national priorities in agriculture and disaster management. However, the lack of transparency in China’s space program raises questions about data sharing and international collaboration standards, which are critical for scientific reproducibility.

Spaceflight in Pakistan is often framed through a lens of national pride and Islamic modernism, with astronauts seen as ambassadors of progress and faith, reflecting a fusion of scientific ambition and spiritual aspiration. The selection of names like Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud carries cultural significance, evoking both Islamic heritage and modern scientific achievement. In contrast, Western narratives often frame space exploration as a purely secular or commercial endeavor, overlooking the spiritual and symbolic dimensions of human spaceflight.

This collaboration could accelerate Pakistan’s indigenous space capabilities, but risks deepening its technological dependency on China, particularly if it lacks investment in domestic R&D and education. The Tiangong station’s success may prompt other Global South nations to seek similar partnerships, potentially leading to a fragmented space governance regime outside Western-led frameworks. Long-term, this could reshape global space norms, with China positioning itself as the leader of a non-aligned space bloc, challenging the dominance of NASA and ESA.

Pakistani civil society and academia, particularly women scientists and engineers, are largely excluded from narratives about the space program, despite their contributions to its development. The selection of only two male astronauts reinforces gender disparities in Pakistan’s STEM fields, where women face systemic barriers to participation in high-profile scientific roles. Marginalised ethnic and linguistic groups in Pakistan, such as Baloch or Pashtun communities, are also absent from the discourse, despite their potential stake in national technological progress.