President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have felicitated the entire nation on the successful launch of first lunar orbit mission.

In a statement today, Asif Ali Zardari congratulated the Institute of Space Technology, SUPARCO and the China National Space Administration on this achievement.

The President said the successful launch of the spacecraft will be a milestone for Pakistan's space programme. He said the entire nation is proud of this success.

He also commended the cooperation between Pakistan and China in the field of aerospace. He said Pakistan has to progress a lot in this domain.

The President hoped that Pakistan's space research institutes and scientists would make the country proud with more hard work, dedication and planning in the field of aerospace.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement today, said ICUBE-Q satellite is Pakistan's first step in the space.

He said Pakistani scientists, engineers and skilled workers are proving their mettle in this field like the expertise they exhibited in the nuclear technology.

Shehbaz Sharif expressed tribute to the core committee of the Institute of Space Technology, including Dr Khurram Khurshid, all the members of the SUPARCO team and students, who participated in this project.

The Prime Minister said the fragrance of Pakistan-China friendship, which is higher than Himalayas, deeper than ocean, and sweeter than honey, has crossed the frontiers of space.

He said acceptance of Pakistan's project out of the eight countries is an acknowledgement of our scientists and experts.

Shehbaz Sharif said after this significant achievement Pakistan has entered a new era of purposeful space usage. This triumph will further augment Pakistan's capabilities in the field of satellite communication and create opportunities in the domain of scientific research, economic development and national security.

The Prime Minister said the sons of Pakistan proved that they are capable of conquering the space. He expressed the confidence that Pakistan will achieve the economic and space excellence like it demonstrated on 28 May 1998.

Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan's excellence in science and technology and modern skills is need of the hour.

He expressed the determination to facilitate the youth to excel in science and technology and modern skills so that Pakistan will lead in the world of inventions. 

It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif himself observed the historic launch of Pakistan's first satellite mission to the moon on TV.