Islamabad: The Chairman of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), Muhammad Yousaf Khan, met with Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, in Islamabad on Tuesday to discuss key initiatives such as the commercialization of the PakSat-MM1 satellite and advancements in agricultural monitoring technologies.

According to Press Information Department, during the meeting, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal instructed SUPARCO to create a comprehensive business plan for PakSat-MM1. He emphasized collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology to develop a strategy for the satellite’s commercialization to maximize its potential benefits. Chairman Yousaf Khan briefed the Minister on SUPARCO’s efforts in agricultural monitoring technologies, which are aiding farmers in achieving improved crop yields.

The Federal Minister directed SUPARCO to integrate their efforts with the Land Information and Management System for consolidated data collection, highlighting the importance of collaboration with other institutions to enhance the utility of satellite remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for better business processes. Furthermore, Ahsan Iqbal announced plans for a symposium under the banner of “URAAN Pakistan,” scheduled for later this month at the Institute of Space Technology. The event, titled “Beyond the Stars, New Worlds Await,” aims to explore emerging opportunities in space exploration and research.