New Delhi: Former Pakistani minister Fawad Hussain has taken a surprising turn by joining global leaders in applauding India and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as they anticipate the Chandrayaan 3 mission’s scheduled lunar landing on Wednesday. This shift in perspective comes after his prior stance on India’s space endeavors, marking a ‘historic moment for humankind.’

Change of stance

In an unexpected move, Fawad Hussain, the former Science and Technology minister during Imran Khan’s government, extended his congratulations to India and ISRO for their impending Chandrayaan 3 moon landing. He termed the event as a remarkable achievement that will be etched in history.

Hussain urges for live telecast in Pakistan 

Interestingly, Hussain also urged his home country to broadcast the momentous event live, emphasizing the significance of the mission. This stands in contrast to his previous stance, where he had been vocal in his criticism of India’s space endeavors.

Back in 2019, Hussain had openly criticized and even mocked ISRO and the Chandrayaan-2 mission. He had questioned the allocation of Rs 900 crore for such missions and expressed skepticism regarding their viability.

Countdown to success

ISRO’s Chandrayaan 3 mission is poised for a historic achievement as its Lander Module (LM) is set to softly land on the Moon’s surface today. With the aim of solidifying its position as the first country to conquer the uncharted southern pole of the Moon, India’s venture is a significant step forward.

Scheduled for 6:04 pm today, the LM, consisting of the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover, will undergo a precise landing near the lunar south pole. This mission marks India’s second endeavor in the last four years to accomplish a soft lunar landing and deploy a robotic rover, following the Chandrayaan-2 mission.

Upon a successful landing, India will join an elite group of nations, including the US, China, and the former Soviet Union, that have mastered the art of delicate lunar surface landings.

Objectives of Chandrayaan-3

Chandrayaan-3 is set to achieve several primary objectives. These include demonstrating safe and precise lunar landing techniques, enabling rover exploration on the lunar landscape, and conducting on-site scientific experiments that possess the potential to unlock invaluable lunar insights.