Pakistan Antarctic Programme

The '''Pakistan Antarctic Programme''' ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|پاکستان پروگرام برائے قطبِ جنوبی}}}}), abbreviated as '''PAP''') is a scientific administrative division of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) which represents the Government of Pakistan on the continent of Antarctica. The program coordinates scientific research and operational support in the region. The program is funded by the Pakistan Science Foundation and the Ministry of Science and Technology.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=(NIO)|first=National Institute of Oceanography|author-link=National Institute of Oceanography (Pakistan)|date=|title=Antarctic Research Programme|url=http://www.niopk.gov.pk/antarct.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007002411/http://www.niopk.gov.pk/antarct.html|archive-date=7 October 2006|access-date=24 August 2010|work=National Institute of Oceanography|publisher=NIO and Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST)|format=Web cache|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Currently, the PAP maintains and controls two polar stations in the region: the Jinnah Antarctic Station (JNS), and the Polar Research Cell (PRC), which was established by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) to co-ordinate all Antarctic related activities.<ref name=":0" />

==History== {{Further|Jinnah Antarctic Station}} The Antarctic Programme was launched by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO).<ref name=":1">{{Cite encyclopedia|year=2007|title=Pakistan|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of the Antarctic|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fRJtB2MNdJMC|last=Riffenburgh|first=Beau|page=661|isbn=978-0-415-97024-2}}</ref>

Pakistan's second Antarctic expedition happened in 1992 and 1993. This expedition visited the 1991 station (Jinnah I), and then went on to establish a new field station at a second location (Jinnah II). This expedition also established an unmanned automatic Weather Station at a third location (the Iqbal Observatory).<ref name=GulfNews />

A number of national organisations are involved in Antarctic activities and are active participants in the Pakistan Antarctic Programme.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=Antarctic Research|url=http://www.niopk.gov.pk/Antarctic.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217125703/http://www.niopk.gov.pk/Antarctic.aspx|archive-date=17 February 2012|access-date=2011-12-29|website=National Institute of Oceanography|publisher=Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of Pakistan|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In October 2010, a source with the NIO stated that Pakistan is developing a full-fledged permanent base in Antarctica, which will allow researchers to carry out year-round operations.<ref name=PolarConservation /> In October 2020, the Director General of the NIO stated that although she was keen to see Pakistani researchers return to Antarctica, she considered it more feasible for them to join multinational Antarctic expeditions, as independent missions were regarded as too expensive.<ref name=GulfNews />

==Objectives== [[Image:Antarctican_bases.png|thumb|Nations of the world that have stations on the continent of Antarctica as of 2016.]] The main objectives of the Pakistan Antarctic Programme are to undertake multidisciplinary research and survey the Antarctic region, with particular attention to geology and geophysics. Studies also include environmental and oceanographic research.

Pakistan's research activities are in conformity with the tenets of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), of which Pakistan is an associate member. Pakistanis have gained experience and capability by launching two major expeditions, thus strengthening Pakistan's ability to conduct research in the harsh Antarctic environment. Apart from this, useful environmental and oceanographic data has been collected in the region, and relevant technical information on Antarctic affairs has been provided to the Pakistani government.<ref name="auto"/>

==Stations== {{Main|Jinnah Antarctic Station}} Pakistan maintains two summer research stations and one weather observatory in the vicinity of the Sør Rondane Mountains, Queen Maud Land, in Eastern Antarctica.<ref name=GulfNews /> The Jinnah Antarctic Station is the centre of most operations, and travel to and from Antarctica is done through the airfield at the JAS.<ref name="auto"/>

The NIO expressed interest in establishing a perennial Antarctic station in October 2010,<ref name=PolarConservation /> but as of March 2023 the plans have not been realised.

==References== {{Reflist|refs=

<ref name=PolarConservation>{{cite web | last = Molle | first = Kris | title = Pakistan and Antarctica | website = Polar Conservation Organisation | date = 29 October 2010 | access-date = 2011-10-03 | archive-date = 28 January 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120128171202/http://www.polarconservation.org/education/antarctic-bases/pakistan-and-antarctica/pakistan-and-antarctica | url = http://www.polarconservation.org/education/antarctic-bases/pakistan-and-antarctica/pakistan-and-antarctica | url-status = usurped | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

<ref name=GulfNews>{{Cite web | last = Jamal | first = Sana | title = Pakistan eager to revive Antarctic expedition | work = GulfNews | date = 25 October 2020 | access-date = 24 December 2020 | time = 18:01 | url = https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/pakistan-eager-to-revive-antarctic-expedition-1.74813273 | quote = desire to revitalize expeditions in Antarctica by Pakistani scientists in collaboration with friendly countries }}</ref>

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==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20100815075238/http://www.niopk.gov.pk/antarct.html Antarctic Research] National Institute of Oceanography, Karachi {{Ministry of Science and Technology (Pakistan)}}{{Science and technology in Pakistan}}

Category:Pakistan Antarctic Programme Category:Science and technology in Pakistan Category:Science and technology in Antarctica Category:Nawaz Sharif administration Category:Naval operations involving Pakistan P