The Pakistan Antarctic Programme (PAP) is a scientific administrative division of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) of Pakistan Government which represent its presence in the continent of Antarctica. The program coordinates the research and the operational scientific research in the region. The program is funded by Pakistan Science Foundation and the Ministry of Science and Technology, supports the research that can be done exclusively in the Antarctic region[1].
Currently, the PAP maintains and control 2 polar stations in the region. The first station being the Jinnah Antarctic Station (JNS) and the other station is known as Polar Research Cell (PRC) which was established within the National Institute of Oceanography in Karachi to co-ordinate all Antarctic related activities[2].
The Antarctic Programme was launched by the National Institute of Oceanography, with the full support of Pakistan Navy's Naval Weapons Engineering Division (NWED). In 1991, Prime minister Nawaz Sharif established the programme under control of Navy. On June 15, 1992, Pakistan became an Associate Member of Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research but did not accede to the Antarctic Treaty due to economic reasons[3].
In January 1991, Pakistan dispatched an expedition to Greater Antarctica under the auspices of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO)[4]. As the programme was led the Navy, the PN dispatched a small battalion of Pakistan Marines along with the team of scientists boarded on PNS Tariq, the destroyer, and the PNS Behr Paima, the research vessel. The facilities were quickly expanded in the region, and Jinnah Antarctic Station (JNS) was commissioned. The station houses an unmanned automatic Weather Station in which the weather data are transmitted to Pakistan via Argos Satellite System[5]. In 2001, the Badr-B was connected to the Weather Station after it was launched by SUPARCO. In 2006, Pakistan established another station, known as Polar Research Cell (PRC) which was established within the National Institute of Oceanography. Both stations' data are transmitted to Pakistan via Badr-B Satellite. However, the new Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite System will be launched in the late of 2011 to replace the Badr satellite system program.
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The main objectives of Pakistan Antarctic programme are to undertake multidisciplinary research and survey the Antarctic region particularly in the field of geology and geophysics. Studies also include environmental research and oceanography. The programme is also designed to provide relevant technical information to the Government of Pakistan on Antarctic affairs.
Pakistan is maintaining a summer research station (Jinnah Antarctic Station) and one weather observatory in the vicinity of Sør Rondane Mountains. Pakistan is also planning to build a full fledged permanent base at Antarctica which will enable the programme to start operations in Antarctica throughout the year.[6]