Saira Imran Pakistani artist, peace activist, and honorary diplomat Namira Salim is about to make history. She will soon become the first Pakistani in space by joining Virgin Galactic’s commercial spaceflight. Salim has already achieved remarkable milestones, including becoming the first Pakistani to reach both the North and South Poles. Now, she is ready to carry her nation’s flag beyond Earth’s orbit.
From Poles to the Stars
Salim’s passion for space began in her childhood. She grew up gazing at the stars, often telling her parents that she wanted to become an astronaut. She once shared, “I was born with the dream of going to space. It’s in my DNA.”
Her journey took her to the world’s most remote places before reaching for the cosmos. She is already known as the first Pakistani to reach the North and South Poles, proving her fearless spirit long before space travel became possible.
Read Also: Pakistan Zindabad: Spirit of Unity and National Pride
Journey with Virgin Galactic
In 2006, Salim joined Virgin Galactic, the private spaceflight company founded by billionaire Richard Branson. Out of thousands of applicants, she secured her place as one of the earliest members. She even played a role in the company’s official launch in Dubai.
Salim purchased her $200,000 ticket nearly two decades ago, and since then, she has been waiting for the moment when the dream of commercial spaceflight becomes reality. Virgin Galactic has already completed successful test flights, bringing Salim closer to her long-awaited mission.
Diplomatic and Cultural Achievements
Namira Salim is not just an explorer; she is also a diplomat and peace advocate. After studying international business at Hofstra University and international affairs at Columbia University, she worked to build global connections.
She became Pakistan’s first honorary consul to Monaco in 2011 and has represented the country in various cultural and diplomatic forums. Through her art and jewelry collections, she spreads messages of peace and unity.
In 2015, she launched the Space Trust, a non-profit organization that promotes peace through space. The trust even plans to host the world’s first peace summit in orbit by 2030.
Read Also: Pakistani Youth Power: The Backbone of the Nation
Promoting Space for All
Salim strongly believes in making space accessible for everyone. She highlights how technologies developed for space directly improve life on Earth — from GPS navigation to medical research.
She also emphasizes the need for diversity in space exploration. “Countries without their own space programs should also get opportunities,” she said, calling for greater inclusion of women and people from developing nations in future missions.
Pakistan’s Pride in the Cosmos
Namira Salim’s upcoming journey is more than a personal dream; it is a national milestone. With a population of over 200 million, Pakistan will finally have representation in space through her.
Her courage, vision, and dedication inspire not only women but also all Pakistanis who dream big. Soon, when she boards Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft, Salim will proudly take Pakistan into space for the very first time.
