ISLAMABAD — A monument honouring Yuri Gagarin, the first human to journey into space, was unveiled on Friday at Fatima Jinnah Park, the Russian Embassy announced, marking a symbolic moment in Russia–Pakistan cultural and scientific cooperation.
Gagarin made history in April 1961 when he orbited the Earth aboard the Vostok spacecraft, famously declaring “Let’s go” as his rocket launched from southern Kazakhstan. His 108-minute mission ended with a safe landing in Russia’s Saratov region, cementing his status as a global icon of space exploration.
The embassy said in a post on X that the ceremony was attended by Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, Pakistan’s Power Minister Awais Leghari, Russian Ambassador Albert P. Khorev, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, and Russian pilot-cosmonaut Elena Serova.
Quoting Tsivilev, the embassy described Gagarin’s feat as “the greatest in our shared history,” noting that large numbers of scientists worldwide remain dedicated to advancing space research. “Let this work benefit all countries of the world,” the minister said.
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The unveiling coincided with the 10th meeting of the Russia–Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, held in Islamabad this week. The embassy expressed gratitude to the International Charitable Fund “Dialogue of Cultures – United World” for providing the bust of Gagarin, as well as to the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange and Pakistani authorities for their support in installing the monument.
🚀 A monument to the first cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin has been unveiled in Islamabad
The ceremony took place in Islamabad’s F-9 Fatima Jinnah Park and was attended by Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, Pakistani Power Minister @akleghari, Ambassador Albert P. Khorev,… pic.twitter.com/7Fwd1HB1Gz
— Embassy of Russia in Pakistan (@RusEmbPakistan) November 28, 2025
At the ceremony, Tsivilev also announced that a Russia–Pakistan conference on cosmonautics and space infrastructure will be held in Islamabad next year, signalling further collaboration between the two countries in space science and technology.
The monument adds to a growing number of international cultural installations in the capital and is expected to serve as a symbol of scientific achievement and bilateral engagement.
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