'Pakistan to send satellite mission into space in two years'

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman on Thursday announced that Pakistan will send a satellite mission into space in next couple of years in collaboration with China.

“Pakistan is engaged with Chinese experts in manufacturing the next generation aircraft. China is also providing technical assistance for launching the satellite programme,” he said addressing the inaugural session of AirTech’17 conference, hosted by Air University in Islamabad, a press release issued by Pakistan Air force (PAF) stated.

Vice Chancellor of Air University air vice marshal (Retd) Faaiz Amir was also present on this occasion. Distinguished speakers gave presentations on different aspects of Science and Technology during the opening session of the conference.

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AirTech’17 is the country’s largest technical and scientific olympiad, being held at the main campus of Air University from December 7 to 10.

The air chief said Pakistan annually produced about 20 JF-17 aircraft which was better in performance than F-16.

He termed the indigenously produced JF-17 Thunder a symbol of national pride and said that PAF shall continue its journey of indigenization to further improve our defensive capabilities.

Sohail Aman said that our youth is full of talent, which made our future very bright. We needed to groom and guide them properly. He further said that Pakistani nation and the armed forces had fought the war against terrorists with supreme courage and determination, while rendering great sacrifices, which had resulted in wiping out this menace from the country.

Over three thousand students from around hundred educational institutions would present their projects in this four day conference. Competitions in 26 different disciplines including photography, Aeromodelling and Robotics etc will also be held during this grand event.

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The main objective of the conference is to highlight the importance of technology in the progress of a nation and offering opportunities to the talented students to showcase their hidden talent at both national and international levels. A science exhibition, followed by a thrilling Aeromodelling Show at F-9 Park, Islamabad will also be held on the last day of the conference.