ISLAMABAD : 12 April 2026 – Yuri Gagarin (1934–1968) was the first consmonaut who became the first human to journey into outer space on 12 April 1961, he completed a single orbit of Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft, a historic 108-minute flight that effectively started the era of manned space exploration.
Launching from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Gagarin’s craft reached a maximum altitude of about 187 miles (301 km). His famous exclamation at liftoff, “Poyekhali!” (“Let’s go!”), remains a legendary catchphrase in Russia. Unlike modern astronauts, Gagarin did not land inside his capsule. At an altitude of 7 km (approx. 23,000 ft), he ejected and parachuted to the ground separately from the Vostok pod.
Born in the village of Klushino, he was the son of a carpenter and a dairy farmer. He was selected from 20 candidates not only for his skill as a fighter pilot but also because he represented the “ideal working-class hero”.After his flight, Gagarin became an international celebrity and a “Hero of the Soviet Union”. He died at age 34 on 27 March 1968, during a routine training flight when his MiG-15 jet crashed near Novosyolovo.
The Russian Embassy in Pakistan organized a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in Fatima Jinnah Park of Islamabad.
The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Albert P. Khorev, Additional Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Ayesha Ali, Ambassadors of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, Russian Defense Attaché Colonel Vadim Fenchenko, Russian Trade Representative Denis Nevzorov, as well as officials from the CDA and SUPARCO.
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Albert P. Khorev emphasized that Yuri Gagarin’s flight ushered in a new chapter in human history – the era of the Universe exploration. It became a powerful symbol of humanity’s determination to reach new heights in intellectual and technological advancement, to overcome any obstacle on the path toward the most ambitious and noble goals.
The Ambassador also noted that the successful launch of the Vostok-1 spacecraft was made possible by the selfless and tireless efforts of millions of Soviet citizens – the brotherly peoples of the former Soviet republics – who devoted their lives to serving their Motherland. Victory in the space race was forged through the collective endeavor of Soviet statesmen, scientists, and workers.
Additional Foreign Secretary Ayesha Ali, on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, thanked the Russian Embassy for organizing the event and highlighted the steadily developing bilateral dialogue between Moscow and Islamabad.
Ayesha Ali noted: “Pakistan attaches great importance to its multifaceted relations with Russia. Over the years, our two countries have steadily expanded cooperation in diverse fields, including energy, regional connectivity, education and cultural exchanges. Shared commemorations do not only honor historic milestones, but also strengthen the bonds of friendship and mutual respect between Pakistan and Russia.”
The Russian Embassy in Pakistan expresses its gratitude to the International Charitable Public Foundation “Dialogue of Cultures – United World” and the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange for providing the bust of Yuri Gagarin and supporting the construction of the monument.
