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Pakistan's first lunar rover named 'Jinnah-1': Suparco
News Desk
Published August 13, 2026

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Tayyab Karim, a 17-year-old from Bahawalnagar, was named as the winner for proposing the name 'Jinnah-1' for Pakistan's first lunar rover. —Photo courtesy of Suparco

Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) on Thursday announced “Jinnah-1” as the official name of the country’s first lunar rover.

The rover is scheduled to be sent to the Moon in 2029 as part of China’s Chang’e-8 mission, where it will conduct scientific research at the lunar south pole, Suparco said.

The Moon’s south pole is known for its challenging terrain and potential to yield significant scientific discoveries.

In a ceremony held in Islamabad, Suparco said that the name was selected from 4,000 proposals received in a countrywide competition.

Seven participants had proposed the name “Jinnah-1” and the winner was selected through a lucky draw, according to a statement from Suparco.

Tayyab Karim, a 17-year-old from Bahawalnagar, was declared the winner for proposing the name, Suparco said.

The name pays tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and symbolises “Pakistan’s resolve, progress and new space horizons”, Suparco Chairman said.

Jinnah-1 will study plasma, radiation and the lunar surface’s geology, as well as conduct key experiments related to future lunar research and the prospect of human presence on the Moon, Suparco said.

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Pakistan’s first lunar rover, Jinnah-1, will be a part of China’s Chang’e-8 mission to the Moon’s south pole in 2029. —Photo courtesy of Suparco

Suparco announced the collaboration with China’s Chang’e-8 mission in 2024.

“This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Pakistan’s space programme, as Suparco’s indigenous rover will be part of the mission to explore the lunar surface,” the space agency said at the time.

Nasa is targeting 2028 for the first-ever landing of astronauts on the Moon’s south pole, as part of Artemis IV, seeking to beat China’s planned crewed mission, Chang’e-8, to the same lunar region.

In 2023, India managed to land a craft — the unmanned Chandrayaan-3 — near the Moon’s south pole.

Its landing came days after a Russian probe crashed in the same region and four years since the previous Indian attempt failed at the last moment.

www.dawn.com

Pakistan's first lunar rover named 'Jinnah-1': Suparco

Jinnah-1 will be a part of China's Chang'e-8 mission to the Moon's south pole, planned for 2029.
www.dawn.com
 

Pakistan names first lunar rover ‘Jinnah-1’​

Published August 13, 2026

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By BR Web Desk

Pakistan’s first lunar rover has officially been named “Jinnah-1”, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) announced on Thursday.

The name was selected by a jury after a comprehensive review of more than 4,000 entries received from across the country in a nationwide naming competition, reflecting strong public interest in Pakistan’s space exploration programme.

According to SUPARCO, seven participants had proposed the name “Jinnah-1”. A draw was subsequently held during a special ceremony to select the winner fairly among the participants.

Addressing the ceremony, SUPARCO Chairman Muhammad Yousuf Khan appreciated the enthusiastic participation of citizens and highlighted the national significance of naming the rover after Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

“Jinnah-1 is not merely a name but a symbol — of resilience, determination and the pursuit of progress that was exemplified by our founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” he said.

“By naming our first lunar rover after him, we are sending a strong message to the world that Pakistan is ready to carry forward its legacy, determination, hard work and leadership to new frontiers, particularly in the realm of space,” he added.

SUPARCO said Jinnah-1 will be launched to the Moon’s south pole in 2029 as part of China’s Chang’E-8 mission.

The locally developed rover will be equipped with advanced scientific instruments to study lunar plasma and radiation, map the geographical features of the lunar surface, and conduct experiments vital for future lunar research and sustainable human presence on the Moon.

The mission marks a significant step in Pakistan’s efforts to expand its capabilities in space science and lunar exploration.

www.brecorder.com

Pakistan names first lunar rover ‘Jinnah-1’

Pakistan’s first lunar rover has officially been named “Jinnah-1”, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research...
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Last edited:
Pakistani Dragon said:

Pakistan names first lunar rover ‘Jinnah-1’​

Published August 13, 2026

View attachment 210608

By BR Web Desk

Pakistan’s first lunar rover has officially been named “Jinnah-1”, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) announced on Thursday.

The name was selected by a jury after a comprehensive review of more than 4,000 entries received from across the country in a nationwide naming competition, reflecting strong public interest in Pakistan’s space exploration programme.

According to SUPARCO, seven participants had proposed the name “Jinnah-1”. A draw was subsequently held during a special ceremony to select the winner fairly among the participants.

Addressing the ceremony, SUPARCO Chairman Muhammad Yousuf Khan appreciated the enthusiastic participation of citizens and highlighted the national significance of naming the rover after Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

“Jinnah-1 is not merely a name but a symbol — of resilience, determination and the pursuit of progress that was exemplified by our founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” he said.

“By naming our first lunar rover after him, we are sending a strong message to the world that Pakistan is ready to carry forward its legacy, determination, hard work and leadership to new frontiers, particularly in the realm of space,” he added.

SUPARCO said Jinnah-1 will be launched to the Moon’s south pole in 2029 as part of China’s Chang’E-8 mission.

The locally developed rover will be equipped with advanced scientific instruments to study lunar plasma and radiation, map the geographical features of the lunar surface, and conduct experiments vital for future lunar research and sustainable human presence on the Moon.

The mission marks a significant step in Pakistan’s efforts to expand its capabilities in space science and lunar exploration.

www.brecorder.com

Pakistan names first lunar rover ‘Jinnah-1’

Pakistan’s first lunar rover has officially been named “Jinnah-1”, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research...
www.brecorder.com
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According to official Chinese sources, the Chang'e-8 mission has been cancelled.

China Lunar Exploration Project (CLEP); also known in Chinese as the Chang'e Project.
China's manned lunar exploration program is another lunar exploration project in China.

In May 2026, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced the merger of two projects into a single project. The merged entity was known as the "Lunar Exploration Project". It was decided during the subsequent implementation of the merger that the Chang'e-8 mission would be cancelled. The Chang'e-7 mission will be the final mission of the CLEP.

The mission payloads originally slated for Chang'e-8 are currently still under discussion.
Regarding Pakistan's lunar rover, current information suggests it will be carried to the moon on another lunar mission in 2030/2031.
 
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