Islamabad sources reported that Pakistan is set to launch an ambitious space program during the next fiscal year with an aim to keep an eye on the Indian side and reduce its dependence on foreign satellites for civil and military purposes. Meanwhile according to a media report several projects will be initiated to develop self-reliance capacity and reduce dependence on foreign satellites, mainly the US and French satellites for civil and military communications.
Accordingly as per report the budget of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Organization (Suparco) for the upcoming fiscal year 2018-19 is Rs 4.70 billion which includes Rs 2.55 billion for three new projects. Dawn News reported that Suparco has been regularly conducting activities each year to increase awareness of space technology and to promote its peaceful usage amongst students and the masses in Pakistan since 2005.
Further the funding includes allocation of Rs 1.35
billion for Pakistan Multi-Mission Satellite (PakSat- MM1) and the country is
also planning to establish Pakistan Space Centre in Karachi, Lahore and
Islamabad with the allocation of Rs 1 billion. Accordingly the third project is
the establishment of Space Application Research Centre in Karachi with the
budget of Rs 200 million in 2018-19.
