Pakistan has officially named its first lunar rover “Jinnah-1,” marking an important milestone in the country’s growing space exploration ambitions.
The name was selected through a nationwide competition that received around 4,000 entries. Seven participants proposed the same name, leading organizers to conduct a lucky draw. 17-year-old Tayyab Karim from Bahawalnagar was selected as the winner.
Named after Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Jinnah-1 is scheduled to travel to the Moon aboard China’s Chang’e-8 mission in 2029.
The rover is expected to conduct scientific research near the lunar south pole, an area of major interest for future lunar exploration because of its potential water-ice resources and challenging terrain.
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The mission will give Pakistan an opportunity to contribute to international lunar research while strengthening its capabilities in space science and technology.
For Pakistan, Jinnah-1 represents more than just a rover—it is a symbol of the country’s ambitions to become a more active participant in the global space exploration community.
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