Business Desk 
Jan 08, 2025
Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday directed the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) to prepare a comprehensive business plan for the recently launched PakSat-MM1, the country’s first multi-mission satellite.
The directives were issued during a meeting with SUPARCO Chairman Muhammad Yousaf Khan.
Commercialising PakSat-MM1
The meeting focused on key initiatives, including the commercialisation of the PakSat-MM1 satellite and advancements in agricultural monitoring technologies.
The minister emphasised the need to collaborate with the IT ministry to formulate a detailed strategy for the satellite’s commercialisation to maximise its benefits.
Enhancing agricultural monitoring
The SUPARCO chairman briefed the minister on the organisation’s efforts in modern agricultural monitoring, helping farmers achieve improved crop yields. Iqbal directed SUPARCO officials to integrate their efforts with the Land Information and Management System (LIMS) to collect consolidated data.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening collaborations with other institutions to enhance the utility of satellite remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for improved business processes.
Additionally, the minister reiterated plans to organise a symposium later this month under the banner of “URAAN Pakistan” at the Institute of Space Technology. The symposium, titled “Beyond the Stars, New Worlds Await,” aims to highlight emerging opportunities in space exploration and research.
