NEWSLETTER
PASTIC
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programming, and modern technologies in contemporary
research. He highlighted PASTIC's research and information
services and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to
supporting researchers and the wider scientific community.
He also appreciated the resource persons, organizing team,
participants, and all those who contributed to the successful
conduct of Summer Research Week 2026.
Volume 9, Issue 8
August 2026
The National Science Reference Library successfully
organized a three-day National Online Training Workshop
on "PASTIC KOHA Cloud: Library Automation Package"
from August 18-20, 2026. The workshop was arranged to
promote the digital transformation of libraries nationwide
and strengthen the capacity of library professionals in the
use of modern library management systems.
A total of 63 librarians from academic, research, and special
libraries across Pakistan participated in the training program
and enhanced their technical expertise in cloud-based
library automation technologies.
Summer Research Week 2026
PASTIC National Centre, Islamabad successfully organized
Summer Research Week 2026 from 17–21 August 2026,
bringing together 40 participants from Rawalpindi,
Islamabad, Karachi, Faisalabad, Peshawar, and Azad Jammu
& Kashmir. The five-day programme was designed to
strengthen practical research skills and provide hands-on
exposure to key stages of the academic research cycle,
including research methodology, data collection, statistical
and qualitative analysis, reference management, scientific
writing, programming, and research ethics.
The first two days of the program were led by Dr. Muham-
mad Usman, Database Administrator PASTIC who took the
stage for an intensive and highly practical series of sessions
on Data Analysis using SPSS. A dedicated session on Zotero
for reference management and scholarly organization was
conducted by Dr. Maryam Ibrar, Additional Director,
PASTIC. The qualitative research component was led by Ms.
Rabia Zafar, Bahria University, who introduced participants
to thematic analysis using the Braun and Clarke framework
and practical use of MAXQDA for coding, organizing,
visualizing, and reporting qualitative data.
The final day featured a session on LaTeX for scientific
writing and document preparation by Dr. Muhammad
Usman, followed by an introduction to Python programming
by Mr. Nabi Bux. A dedicated session on Research Ethics
was conducted by Dr. Saira Kazmi.
Addressing the concluding ceremony, Prof. Dr. M. Akram
Shaikh, Director General, PASTIC, emphasized
the growing importance of scientific knowl-
edge, digital research tools, data analysis,
Group photo of Summer Research Week 2026
An Online Training Workshop on PASTIC KOHA
Cloud: Library Automation Package
Glimpse of the Online Training Workshop on KOHA
Webinar on Academic Writing Excellence:
Understanding and Using APA Guidelines
PASTIC, Regional Office Lahore, in collaboration with the
Center for Academic Integrity (CAI), The University of
Lahore (UOL), organized a webinar on “Academic Writing
Excellence: Understanding and Using APA Guidelines” on
August 27, 2026. Prof. Dr. Zaheer Ahmad, Head, Depart-
ment of Information Management and Director, Center for
Academic Integrity, The University of Lahore, served as the
resource person.
NEWSLETTER
PASTIC
Workshop on “Digital Tools & AI in Teaching
and Training”
PASTIC Regional Office, Quetta in collaboration with
BUITEMS, organized a one-day training workshop on
“Digital Tools & AI in Teaching and Training” on August
27, 2026
More than 70 participants from across Balochistan, includ-
ing teachers, professors, researchers, faculty members and
senior officers, participated in the workshop. Prof. Dr.
Hummayun Shahwani, Deputy Dean, Faculty of ICT,
BUITEMS, highlighted the importance of AI and digital
technologies in modern education, while Dr. Saeed Ahmed
Magsi, Resource Person, conducted a practical session on
digital tools and AI for teaching and training.
August 2026
Volume 9, Issue 8
The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Afsheen
Arif, Assistant Professor, Karachi Institute of Biotechnol-
ogy and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of
Karachi. She discussed the fundamental concepts and
importance of meta-analysis, research question formula-
tion, systematic approaches to literature analysis, data
extraction, effect-size selection, data synthesis, and
practical tools and techniques for conducting effective
meta-analysis.
The webinar concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms.
Afsheen Tariq, who expressed her sincere gratitude to the
resource person for sharing her valuable knowledge and
expertise. She reaffirmed PASTIC's commitment to
organizing quality capacity-building programs aimed at
promoting research excellence, innovation, and scientific
advancement in Pakistan.
A screen shot during the Webinar
Mr. Ali Raza Khan, Additional Director, Regional Office
Lahore underscored PASTIC's role in facilitating the
research community through its specialized information
resources, technical expertise, and research support
services.
The webinar concluded with the recognition that continuous
learning and adherence to ethical writing and referencing
practices are essential for promoting research excellence
and strengthening academic integrity.
Webinar on “Meta-analysis in research:
A practical guide”
PASTIC Sub-Centre Karachi organized a webinar on “Meta
Analysis in Research: A Practical Guide” on August 27,
2026. The online session witnessed the active participation
of more than 80 students, researchers, faculty members,
scientists, and professionals from universities and research
institutions across Pakistan and abroad.
A screenshot during the presentation by
Dr. Afsheen Arif
Workshop on “Digital Tools & AI in Teaching and Training”,
at BUITEMS
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NEWSLETTER
PASTIC
PASTIC Sub-Centre Karachi, in collaboration with IQRA
University, organized a one-day training workshop on
“Significance of SPSS in Data Analysis” on August 28,
2026 at PASTIC Sub-Centre Karachi. The workshop aimed
to enhance the practical data analysis skills of students,
researchers, academicians, faculty members, scientists, and
professionals. More than 60 participants attended virtually,
while 10 participants attended physically, representing
universities and research institutions across Karachi.
Second Follow-up Meeting held Between PASTIC
and UET Lahore
The second follow-up meeting between PASTIC and the
Center for Language Engineering (CLE), University of
Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore,
was held on August 25, 2026 to review
progress on the proposed collaboration aimed
Group photo of participants of Training Workshop on SPSS
One-Day Training Workshop on “Signicance of
SPSS in Data Analysis”
August 2026
Volume 9, Issue 8
The participants appreciated the initiative and expressed
their hope for more such capacity-building programs in AI,
digital technology, research and modern teaching methods
in Balochistan.
The training session was delivered by Syed Ghazanfar Ali,
Senior Lecturer, who provided participants with practical
guidance on the use of SPSS for research data analysis. The
workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Afsheen
Tariq, who expressed her sincere gratitude to Syed
Ghazanfar Ali for sharing his valuable expertise and
practical knowledge with the participants. At the end of the
workshop, a shield was presented to the resource person,
and certificates were distributed to the physically attending
participants.
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Second Follow-up Meeting between PASTIC and CLE-UET
Lahore
at strengthening and enhancing PASTIC's journal indexing
and research information services.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the requirements
for improving the Pakistan Science Abstracts (PSA) journal
indexing platform, including possibilities for incorporating
advanced digital and automated solutions to improve the
efficiency, quality, and timeliness of journal indexing.
Progress regarding coordination with journal publishers and
other collaborative activities was also reviewed.
The meeting further explored the development of a joint
research proposal under the upcoming HEC-NRPU call,
focusing on innovative and technology-based enhancement
of PASTIC's indexing system. Both organizations agreed to
further deliberate on the technical requirements, potential
international research collaboration, and respective roles for
development of the proposal. The meeting reaffirmed the
commitment of PASTIC and CLE-UET Lahore to continue
working together towards strengthening national scientific
information and research support services.
Online Orientation session on “PASTIC – A
Hub for Scientic and Technological Information”
PASTIC S&T SERVICES AWARENESS ACTIVITIES
An online orientation Session on PASTIC Services was
organized in collaboration with ORIC, University of Swat,
for its faculty members and M.Phil./Ph.D. scholars to
enhance awareness and utilization of PASTIC's digital
information resources. The session highlighted key
PASTIC databases, including Pakistan Science Abstract
(PSA), National Digital Archive of Scientific Journals of
NEWSLETTER
PASTIC
August 2026
Volume 9, Issue 8
a. Ms. Afsheen Tariq, Assistant Director (STI), PASTIC
Sub-Centre Karachi, attended the webinar titled “Interna-
tional Roundtable and Technical Dialogue on Unlocking
Agricultural Carbon Markets: Climate-Smart Solutions for
a Resilient Future” on August 24, 2026 organized by
COMSTECH, Islamabad, in collaboration with the Minis-
try of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.
Orientation Session on PASTIC Databases (PSA & NJA) at
University of Swat
Event/ Webinar /Meeting attended:
b. Afsheen Tariq, Assistant Director (STI), PASTIC Sub-
Centre Karachi, attended the webinar title: STEM for Space
Exploration for Global Youth Leaders” held on August 30,
2026 organized by SDGs Academy Islamabad. During the
webinar, PASTIC's scientific and technological information
services were promoted among the participants, with
emphasis on PASTIC's role in supporting research, innova-
tion, and access to scientific information.
Pakistan (NJA), and National Scientists Directory (NSD),
along with other scientific information and research support
services.
The session was delivered by Dr. Ghazala Ali Khan and Mr.
Saif Ullah Azeem from PASTIC, along with Mr. Nabi
Buksh, and coordinated by Dr. Ghulam Nabi, Manager
ORIC - University of Swat on August 4, 2026. The activity
strengthened collaboration between PASTIC and ORIC-
Muzaffarabad Sub-Center
AJK University, New Campus, Challabandi, Muzaffarabad
pastic.2011@gmail.com
Tel: 05822 960414
Quetta Sub-Center
Art Campus, University of Balochistan, Quetta.
pastic.qta@gmail.com
Tel: 03337823390
Peshawar Sub-Center
Pakistan Forest Institute,University Campus, Peshawar
pasticpsh@yahoo.com
Tel: 091-9216880
Lahore Sub-Center
PCSIR Lab. Complex, Ferozepur Road, Lahore
pasticlhr@gmail.com
Tel: 042-99230732
Faisalabad Sub-Center
Faisalabad Science Centre, Jail Road
pasticf@yahoo.com
Tel: 041-9200608-9
Karachi Sub-Center
A-43, block No. 3, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi
karachipastic@gmail.com
Tel: 021-99334174/021-34994173
Pakistan Scientif ic & Technological
Information Centre
PASTIC National Centre, Quaid-i-Azam University Campus, Islamabad,
Tel: 051-9248103, 051-9248109, Fax: 9248113
URL:
Email:
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University of Swat, and promoted greater utilization of
PASTIC resources among the academic and research
community.