Pakistan's former science minister mocks Chandrayaan-3, says no need to go to great lengths for Moon sighting

Former Pakistani Minister of Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry has mocked India's moon mission, saying there was no "need to go to great lengths for Moon sightings.".

The video of Fawad's interview has gone viral on the internet in which he can be seen humorously responding to a question regarding Moon sightings and India's space mission conducted by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).

His comment, "Itne papad belne ki zaroorat nahin hai," meaning "You don't need to go to such great lengths for Moon sightings," has gone viral, amusing viewers worldwide.


The video went viral following India's successful launch of Chandrayaan 3.


Chaudhry's lighthearted take on Moon sightings, particularly during the Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, struck a chord with audiences, especially considering the recent space mission.

The comical tweet resurfaced and resonated with many individuals who witnessed India's latest endeavour into space.

On July 14, ISRO successfully launched the third edition of its lunar exploration programme from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, aimed at making a soft landing on the unexplored south pole of the Moon that would help India achieve a rare feat.

Only three countries—the United States, China and Russia—have managed to land on the lunar surface so far.

The journey from Earth to the moon for the spacecraft is estimated to take about a month, and the landing is expected on August 23.

Upon landing, it will operate for one lunar day, which is approximately 14 Earth days. One day on the Moon is equal to 14 days on Earth.

Notably, Fawad Chaudhry, who was the then Science and Technology Minister of Pakistan, said in 2019 that the country would send its first manned mission in 2022.



The space agency of Pakistan, the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), was established in 1961.

The agency, however, saw little action till the 1990s and has been constantly ridiculed for being so far behind its Indian and Chinese counterparts. As per reports, it now has a 2040 space programme with the aim of launching more satellites via other countries.