Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

The Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) is a government-owned science and industrialisation research organisation which mainly focuses on the development of industrial research. Initially established as Pakistan Department of Research in 1951, it was reformulated in its current state in 1953.

The PCSIR was established by noted scientist Prof. Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui in 1953 for the development of scientific and technical Research and Development (R&D) and to provide infrastructure for industrial development in Pakistan. The organisation was founded under the Societies Act to promote the cause of Science and Technology in the country. Since 1973, it has functioned under the Act of Parliament. The organisation was under control of Pakistan's Ministry of Science and Technology, and was given autonomous control in 1984.

As of today, the PCSIR has several geographically dispersed research centres. PCSIR has four regional offices in each of the provincial capitals, with the head office in Islamabad. There are eleven Laboratories and units and five HRD Centres established throughout the country, headed by director generals or directors who directly report to the chairman. The chairman of PCSIR is appointed by the Government of Pakistan. In Head Office, there are currently 150 officers and technical staff including seven directors working in different divisions and departments. There are 681 Scientists, Engineers, and Technologists working in different Laboratories of whom eighty have Ph.Ds and others have M.Sc./MS/M.Phil./B.E. degrees in multidisciplinary fields. These are supported by 1,656 technical and skilled staff and 178 administrative staff.