The rules of space are written not by those who reach it first, but by those who govern it best.
Imagine a country with a space program older than China's, one that launched rockets just years after the Soviet Sputnik, yet today finds itself struggling to keep pace with neighboring space ambitions. This isn't a hypothetical scenario—this is Pakistan's space paradox. Despite venturing into space in 1961, Pakistan still lacks the comprehensive national space legislation that has become standard for space-faring nations. As private companies worldwide launch thousands of satellites and nations race to mine asteroids, Pakistan's regulatory void threatens to leave it Earthbound indefinitely.
Consists primarily of five United Nations treaties establishing fundamental principles 7 . The 1967 Outer Space Treaty forms the cornerstone, prohibiting weapons of mass destruction in space and establishing that states bear international responsibility for their national space activities—whether conducted by government or private entities 7 .
International treaties were created when governments dominated space activities, leaving regulation of private and commercial space ventures to national legislation 7 . This is why most space-faring nations have developed their own space laws—to fulfill international obligations while creating frameworks that allow their commercial space sectors to thrive 7 .
For Pakistan, this legislative gap means uncertainty for potential private space investors, undefined procedures for satellite registration, and unclear liability frameworks—all of which hamstring the nation's space ambitions despite having the technical capability to launch satellites 7 .
Pakistan's space story began with remarkable promise. The country established its space agency, SUPARCO (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission), in 1961 under the guidance of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Abdus Salam 5 9 . Just one year later, Pakistan launched its first rocket, Rehbar-I, making it the third country in Asia and tenth worldwide to achieve such a feat 1 7 .
"Despite making an early start, Pakistan has lagged behind in space technology, space sciences, and space applications" 7 .
The contrast between Pakistan's early achievements and subsequent challenges reveals a program hampered not by technical inability but by structural and regulatory deficiencies. As noted in Space Policy journal, "Economic challenges, political instability and sanctions affected SUPARCO's progress in the space sector" 9 .
In December 2023, Pakistan turned a page with the approval of its first National Space Policy (NSP) 5 . This marked a significant step toward addressing the regulatory gaps that had long constrained the country's space ambitions.
The policy outlines clear objectives: "establishing a legal framework, guiding and supervising space activities, and utilizing space science and technology for socioeconomic and national security gains" 5 . It emphasizes public-private partnerships, international cooperation, and technological self-reliance 5 .
This policy framework represents crucial progress, but experts note that a policy alone is insufficient without implementing legislation. As one analysis pointed out, "SUPARCO lacks constitutional and legal mandate to regulate and control national space activities and to implement space policies" 7 .
Pakistan's launch of its first hyperspectral satellite (HS-1) in October 2025 demonstrates both the country's advancing space capabilities and the continuing need for proper legislation 4 8 .
The HS-1 satellite represents a significant technological leap, using advanced imaging that captures hundreds of narrow spectral bands to detect subtle variations invisible to conventional satellites 8 . This capability will empower Pakistani agencies to monitor crops, track deforestation, monitor pollution and glacial melt, and manage disasters more effectively 8 .
| Application Area | Specific Uses | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Monitoring crop health, estimating yields, guiding water use 1 4 | Improved food security, efficient resource use 4 |
| Disaster Management | Flood mapping, landslide risk assessment, damage evaluation 4 8 | Early warnings, faster recovery, saved lives 8 |
| Environmental Monitoring | Tracking deforestation, pollution, glacial melt 8 | Climate resilience, protected ecosystems 4 |
| Urban Planning | Infrastructure monitoring, expansion planning 4 | Sustainable development, better living conditions 1 |
| Water Resources | Monitoring irrigation, estimating soil moisture 1 | Secure food and water supplies 1 |
The satellite was launched from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, a collaboration that "reflected the ever-growing strategic partnership and deep-rooted friendship between the two nations" 4 . This international cooperation aspect further emphasizes the need for clear legal frameworks governing such partnerships.
Despite the technical achievement represented by HS-1, such projects operate in a legislative vacuum that creates uncertainty for international partnerships and private sector participation.
Creating effective national space legislation requires addressing several key components. Based on international models and Pakistan's specific needs, here are the essential elements:
Procedures for authorizing and supervising both governmental and non-governmental space activities 7 . This ensures all space activities conducted from Pakistan comply with international obligations.
A national registry of space objects as required by the Registration Convention 7 . Pakistan must maintain detailed records of all launched objects and provide this information to the UN.
Clear rules allocating liability for damage caused by space objects, implementing Pakistan's obligations under the Liability Convention 7 . This includes establishing financial responsibility requirements for private operators.
Guidelines and incentives for commercial space activities, including licensing procedures and safety requirements 5 . This is crucial for developing Pakistan's commercial space sector.
The approval of Pakistan's National Space Policy was a crucial first step, but the harder work remains: turning policy into concrete legislation. Several actions are needed to bridge this gap:
Pakistan must prioritize space legislation in its parliamentary agenda. The policy provides direction, but only legislation has binding force 7 .
The country should learn from other space-faring nations that have developed legal frameworks suitable for their specific needs and capabilities 7 .
Pakistan must address its STEM education gap to develop the human capital necessary for a sustainable space program .
Pakistan should actively engage in international space governance while developing its national laws. Participation in organizations like the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space ensures Pakistan's interests are represented 9 .
Pakistan stands at a pivotal moment in its space journey. The country has the technical capability, demonstrated by recent satellite launches 4 8 . It has the policy foundation, with the approved National Space Policy 5 . What remains missing is the legislative framework to bind these elements together into a coherent, sustainable, and growing space program.
National space legislation isn't merely a legal requirement—it's the essential infrastructure for space development. It provides the certainty that private investors need to fund space ventures, the clarity that international partners require for collaboration, and the structure that government agencies need to coordinate their efforts.
As Pakistan's Foreign Office celebrated the successful launch of the HS-1 satellite, noting it would "significantly enhance national capacities" 4 , the irony is that without proper legislation, each achievement becomes an isolated triumph rather than part of a coordinated ascent. The final frontier awaits—but first, Pakistan must conquer the frontier of law and governance.