Bahawalpur,Hafiz Muhammad Azhar, a former student of The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB), has significantly contributed to the Pakistan-China satellite joint cooperation program, marking a notable advancement in Pakistan’s satellite technology. Azhar, an alumnus of the Faculty of Engineering at IUB, was integral to the design and development team of the PakSat-MM1 satellite.
According to The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Azhar served as both Load Engineer and Test Engineer, where he played a critical role in ensuring the satellite’s performance met necessary standards during various technical stages at the Chinese space agency. He was actively involved in the assembly, integration, testing, and in-orbit testing phases of the PakSat-MM1 satellite in China. Launched on May 30, 2024, by Pakistan’s space agency, SUPARCO, the satellite is equipped with the latest communication technology and is expected to cover 30 to 35 percent of the Earth’s surface.
The satellite aims to enhance communication capabilities not only within Pakistan but also across neighboring countries, Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa. It is anticipated to provide high-speed internet services to remote areas of Pakistan and will benefit various sectors including military, telecommunications, weather forecasting, oil and gas, NGOs, and UN offices.
The Vice-Chancellor of IUB, Prof. Dr. Naveed Akhtar, along with Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Dr. Muhammad Amjad, and other faculty members, have expressed their pride and congratulated Azhar for his contributions to this significant national project. Hafiz Muhammad Azhar Bashir and his sister, Dr. Ayesha Bashir, Chairperson of the Department of Physiotherapy at IUB, have been recognized for their professional achievements and contribution to elevating the university’s reputation.