The Pakistan Biotechnology Information Center (PABIC) was established at Latif Ebrahim Jamal National Science Information Center, University of Karachi and currently working under the patronage of OIC-COMSTECH (Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation)(www.comstech.org). The initiative of the establishment of Pakistan Biotechnology Information Center is an attempt to initiate multidisciplinary research and enhance the awareness and appreciation of biotechnology at the local and international levels.
Pakistan has several good institutions currently working on various aspects of biotechnology. There are a number of universities which offer various degrees in this discipline. However, there is a serious lack of appreciation of biotechnology at the public and industrial levels. Coordination and exchange of information among institutions and practitioners of biotechnology is less than adequate. Therefore, there is a need for a resource center in Pakistan which can serve as a hub to disseminate information, to support collaborative efforts and to develop a network of institutions and Individuals working in this field.
As early as 1991, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) saw the potential of crop biotechnology to improve the lives of small-scale farmers in developing countries. By sharing and disseminating scientific knowledge to the global community, and by facilitating the transfer of technologies to developing countries through public-private partnerships.
Pakistan Biotechnology Information Center publishes a quarterly Newsletter entitled; "ARISEN" to share the information of development in Biotechnology at national & International level. It comprises of National , International, Agri-biotech,Biotech health and other biotech news.
Pocket Ks are Pockets of Knowledge, packaged information on crop biotechnology products and related issues..
