Pakistan Woman to fly to Space lauds Enlightened Moderation
'Pakistan Times'  Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: First Pakistani women Astronaut Namira Salim who will go into space in 2008 was introduced at a ceremony in Islamabad.

The ceremony was organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under Pakistan Image Project “Faces of Pakistan”.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Senator Tariq Azim said space has been described as the most challenging and daunting endeavour to be undertaken by mankind.

He said the first Pakistani women Namira Salim who would face this challenge deserves appreciation.

Later talking to 'Pakistan Times' [Daily Web Newspaper] Namira Salim said that she has done a lot of hardwork to pass through for this purpose.

"I will create a new direction for Pakistani women", Namira said by adding; "I think the government and people of Pakistan are earger to witness this flight".

To a question, Namira Salim said Image Pakistan project has provided opportunities to the talented people to project themselves at national and international platforms.

She appreciated President Pervez Musharraf’s policy of enlightened moderation.

The Additional Secretary Ministry of Information Mr. Ahsen Yousaf said Namira Salim has been an accomplished artist as well as Austronaut to go into space in 2008.

Virgin Galactic being the only company in the world with a safe and tested prototype of a private space craft, selected Namira as the only Pakistani in its exclusive Founders’ Club of first hundred people to go to space.

As founding member, she will be the first Pakistani to go to space, when commercial operations commence in 2008 and will participate in the birth of an incredible new industry on behalf of Pakistan-- space tourism.●