Pakistan has taken a proud step in its space journey. The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has named the country’s first lunar rover “Jinnah-1.” The name was chosen after a nationwide competition that received more than 4,000 suggestions from people across Pakistan.
A special jury reviewed all the proposals. Seven people had suggested the name “Jinnah-1.” To decide the winner fairly, a lucky draw was held during a ceremony. Seventeen-year-old Tayyab Karim from Bahawalnagar was declared the winner.
Jinnah-1 will travel to the Moon’s south pole in 2029. It will ride on China’s Chang’E-8 mission. The rover is being developed in Pakistan and will carry advanced scientific tools. These instruments will study lunar plasma and radiation, map the surface’s geological features, and carry out experiments that can help future research and long-term human presence on the Moon.
The name “Jinnah-1” honours Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. SUPARCO said the strong public response showed the nation’s growing interest in space science. Chairman Muhammad Yousuf Khan noted that the name reflects resilience, hard work, and the country’s determination to move forward into new frontiers.