Namira Salim is also the first Pakistani to reach the North and South Poles and the first Asian to skydive over Mount Everest. Recently, the Pakistan Embassy in the UAE honoured her for her services. In the SouthAsia interview, Namira Salim said, "I find my title of 'First Pakistani Astronaut' very special... perhaps, it's even better than being a Princess."
She says her family knew about her passion for space exploration. However, it took them by surprise when they found she wanted to be among the founders of the Virgin Galactic, the world's first private/commercial spaceline. She says her family's concerns for her safety lessened when they met Sir Richard Branson in Dubai. Since then they have been comfortable with her dream as her training process has assessed her ability to tolerate and adapt to gravitational forces. Namira Salim says that in the near future Pakistanis will have the opportunity to take a private spaceflight at an affordable price.-PR