The Foreign Office (FO) said on Saturday that Pakistan had successfully launched an indigenous electro-optical satellite from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, terming it a “significant milestone”.

“The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has successfully launched its indigenous electro-optical satellite (EO-3) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, marking another significant milestone in the nation’s space capabilities,” it said in a statement posted on the social media platform X.

“Beyond its core imaging mission, EO-3 carries advanced experimental payloads aimed at validating next-generation space technologies. These include a multi-geometry imaging module for enhanced imaging accuracy, an advanced energy storage system, and an onboard AI-powered data processing unit to enable real-time analysis and intelligent decision support,” it said.

It said that the addition of EO-3 to Pakistan’s Earth Observation satellite fleet “significantly enhances national capabilities in remote sensing”.

“The integrated system will improve data continuity, imaging reliability, and analytical precision, supporting applications across Pakistan’s socio-economic sectors,” the FO said.

The military’s media affairs wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, said the satellite would provide imaging data to “revolutionise urban planning, disaster management, food security and environment protection”.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in a statement, termed the launch a “historic milestone”.

He highlighted that it was a “clear manifestation of Pakistan’s self-reliance, scientific expertise and growing capability in space technology”.

The president praised the professional expertise of Suparco’s scientists and engineers, saying their efforts were adapting Pakistan to modern requirements.

President Zardari also hailed China’s “consistent and trustworthy cooperation” in the space sector.

According to the FO statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended Suparco’s scientists and engineers on the achievement.

“He reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to advancing Pakistan’s space programme and expressed appreciation for China’s continued cooperation in this domain,” it said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also extended his commendation, praising Suparco’s technical excellence and dedication.

“He described the successful launch as a reflection of Pakistan’s growing scientific capability and reiterated the government’s resolve to further strengthen the country’s presence in the space sector,” the statement concluded.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi congratulated the nation on the successful launch of the satellite and appreciated the scientists and engineers involved in the operation.

He termed the launch a “big achievement” for the country, saying that the Pak-China friendship was also “touching new heights in space”.

The interior minister said that the satellite would assist in multiple fields and would also boost earth observation capabilities.

China’s Xinhua News said that the satellite was lifted off at 8:15 pm (Beijing time) by a Long March-6 carrier rocket and “successfully entered its planned orbit”.

The first indigenous Electro-Optical (EO-1) satellite was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northern China in January 2025.

Earlier in February, Pakistan had also successfully launched its second indigenous Earth Observation Satellite, EO-2, from China’s Yangjiang Seashore Launch Centre.