NEWSLETTER
PASTIC
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Webinar on “Integration of Universities OPAC
in PAKCAT”
PASTIC National Center, Islamabad organized a webinar
on “Integration of universities OPAC in PAKCAT” under
the consortium of Library & Information Science (LIS)
Professionals was organized on June 11, 2026.
A total 40 participants, librarians, information profession-
als, and technical staff attended the training session from
universities and research institutions across Pakistan. The
objective of the training was to familiarize participants with
the process of integrating their university Online Public
Access Catalogues (OPACs) into PakCat, enabling nation-
wide discovery and sharing of academic resources through a
single search interface.
During the session, participants were introduced to the
vision and objectives of PakCat, the importance of resource
sharing among academic libraries, and the role of interna-
tional standards such as the Z39.50 protocol in facilitating
secure and real-time retrieval of bibliographic records.
The speakers, Mr. Nabi Buksh, Web Manager and Mr. Fahad
Ubaid, Assistant Web Manager, highlighted that PakCat
serves as "One Window for All Academic Resources" and
represents "A Step Forward to Promote a Resource-Sharing
Culture in the Country." Participants appreciated the
initiative and expressed their commitment to integrating
their institutional OPACs into PakCat to contribute to
Pakistan's national knowledge infrastructure.
PASTIC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting academic
and research libraries by providing technical assistance,
capacity-building programs, and innovative information
services that promote resource sharing and improve access
to scholarly information across the country.
The redesigned CSTRDLP Consortium Portal developed by
PASTIC IT Section under the technical contribution of Mr.
Nabi Bux, Web Manager
Volume 9, Issue 6
June 2026
PASTIC Sub Center, Lahore was organized a webinar titled
“Google Scholar for Teachers and Students” was conducted
on June 9, 2026 in online mode, with participation from 35
teachers and students representing different universities.
The session began with a keynote address by Mr. Ali Raza
Khan, Additional Director of Pakistan Science and Technol-
ogy Information Center (PASTIC), who introduced
PASTIC and highlighted its key services for the promotion
of science, technology, and research support in academic
institutions. He also emphasized the importance of Google
Scholar as an essential tool for enhancing research visibility,
academic networking, and access to global scholarly
literature.
Mr. Nadeem Sohail conducted an 80-minute detailed
PASTIC IT Section Redesigned CSTRDLP
Consortium Portal
The IT Section of PASTIC National Centre, Islamabad, under
the technical contribution of Mr. Nabi Bux, Web Manager,
successfully redesigned and upgraded the CSTRDLP
Consortium Portal(https://consortium.pastic.gov.pk/). The
redesigned portal provides a modern, responsive, and user-
friendly interface for the Consortium of Science
& Technology and Research & Development
Libraries of Pakistan.
The upgraded portal includes an improved home page,
clearer navigation, a refreshed members section,
enhanced services and databases pages, a modern picture
gallery, FAQ section, Koha Cloud information, and
updated footer links to PASTIC services and resources.
The new design has been developed to improve accessi-
bility, readability, and usability across desktop and mobile
devices.
This initiative reflects PASTIC's continued commitment
to strengthening digital information services, supporting
library cooperation, and facilitating researchers, librari-
ans, and member institutions through improved online
access to consortium services.
Webinar on “Google Scholar for Teachers and
Students”
NEWSLETTER
PASTIC
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June 2026
training session as the resource person. He demonstrated
effective use of Google Scholar for searching academic
content, creating and optimizing researcher profiles,
understanding citation metrics such as h-index, and linking
scholarly work for improved visibility. The session was
highly interactive, with participants engaging in practical
demonstrations and asking relevant questions.
Volume 9, Issue 6
The Three-Day International Conference on Earth Sciences
Pakistan 2026 (ESP-2026) was organized by the National
Centre of Excellence in Geology (NCEG), University of
Peshawar, from June 12 to 14, 2026 at the Baragali Summer
Campus, University of Peshawar.
The opening ceremony was graced by Prof. Dr. Muhammad
Akmal, (Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF)), as
the Chief Guest. Prof. Dr. Akram Sheikh (Director General,
PASTIC), and Dr. Ghazala Ali Khan, Additional Director
(PASTIC-PSF), attended as Guests of Honor.
Prof. Dr. Akram Sheikh (Director General-PASTIC)
commended NCEG-UOP for successfully bringing
together researchers and experts from nationally and
internationally renowned institutions. He also highlighted
the services and facilities provided by PASTIC to support
researchers across the country.
The conference was financially supported by the Pakistan
Science Foundation (PSF). As part of its contribution,
PASTIC published the Conference Proceedings,
facilitating the wider dissemination of the
research presented during the event.
Dignitaries on International Conference on Earth Sciences
Pakistan 2026 (ESP-2026).
Group photo of The International Conference on Earth
Sciences Pakistan 2026 (ESP-2026)
Glimpse of the Webinar
Webinar on “Research Funding Opportunities
and Grant Management”
Awareness Session on PASTIC Services
A significant orientation session was organized by PASTIC
Sub-Centre, Faisalabad in collaboration with three universi-
ties—UOG, UOS, and UCOG—on June 18, 2026. A total of
22 participants from the universities and neighboring
organizations attended the session. Dr. Maryam Ibrar,
Additional Director (Publications), PASTIC, delivered the
keynote address, highlighting the PSA Online Database,
National Journal Archive (NJA), PASTIC services.The
session received active participation from faculty members,
researchers, and students, who engaged in productive
discussions throughout the event. It concluded with an
interactive question-and-answer session, during which Dr.
Maryam Ibrar addressed participants' queries and empha-
sized the importance of utilizing PASTIC's digital resources
to support quality research and academic excellence.
NEWSLETTER
PASTIC
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June 2026
Volume 9, Issue 6
PASTIC Sub Centre Karachi organized an online webinar
via Zoom titled “Artificial Intelligence in Libraries and
HEC Plagiarism Policy” on June 24, 2026. The webinar
received an overwhelming response, with more than 130
participants from various universities, research institutions,
libraries, and organizations across Pakistan.
Screenshot of the Orientation Session
Webinar on “Articial Intelligence in Libraries
and HEC Plagiarism Policy”
The keynote speaker, Dr. Liaquat Ali Rahoo, IT Officer at
MUET Library & Online Information Center, Mehran
University of Engineering & Technology Jamshoro,
delivered a comprehensive presentation on the emerging
role of Artificial Intelligence in modern library systems and
its impact on research support services, academic resources,
and information management.
Glimpse of the Webinar
The webinar commenced with a welcome address by Ms.
Afsheen Tariq, A.D (STI), PSCK who welcomed the
keynote speaker and participants and briefed the audience
about PASTIC services, including STI dissemination,
research support, scientific databases, awareness programs,
and collaborations with universities, libraries, R&D
organizations, and industry. She also highlighted the
importance of the webinar in promoting awareness about
Artificial Intelligence in libraries and the HEC
Plagiarism Policy to strengthen academic
integrity and research quality.
Event / Webinar / Visit / Meeting Attended
A. Ms. Afsheen Tariq, Assistant Director (STI), PASTIC
Sub Centre Karachi, held a meeting with Dr. Shamim
st
Akhtar on June 1 , 2026 at the Department of Biochemistry,
University of Karachi. During the meeting, she briefed the
Chairperson about the services and activities of PASTIC and
discussed potential avenues for future collaboration in
scientific and academic initiatives.
B. Ms. Afsheen Tariq, Assistant Director (STI), PSCK,
along with her team, conducted the written test for students
participating in the “Asian Science Camp (ASC-2026)”
from the Sindh Region on June 7, 2026 at PASTIC Sub
Centre Karachi (PSCK). The test was organized by the
Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and facilitated by PSCK
to support the selection process of talented science students
for participation in the prestigious international science
camp.
C. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akmal, Chairman of the Pakistan
Science Foundation, visited the PASTIC Sub Centre
Karachi on June 19,2026. During the visit, the Chairman
met with all employees of PSCK and reviewed the overall
performance, ongoing activities, and services of the Centre.
Various operational matters and institutional issues were
discussed.
Group photo of Chairman PSF with employees PSCK
NEWSLETTER
PASTIC
June 2026
Volume 9, Issue 6
D. Mr. Muhammad Rashad, Secretary/Member Finance,
Pakistan Science Foundation, paid a surprise visit to the
Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre
Regional Sub-Centre Quetta, Balochistan, on June 10,
2026, accompanied by Mr. Irfan Ahmed, Project Manager.
During the visit, Regional Incharge Mr. Abdul Khalique
Sial briefed the visiting officials on the activities,
achievements, and overall performance of the Quetta Sub-
Centre. The attendance record of the staff was checked. He
emphasized that PASTIC is playing a vital role in promot-
ing scientific awareness and research culture throughout the
province.
Mr. Abdul Khalique Sial also presented the performance
report of the Quetta Sub-Centre, outlining its achievements,
ongoing initiatives, future plans, and operational chal-
lenges. He highlighted the Sub-Centre's contributions
towards promoting scientific information services and
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Mr. Muhammad Rashad, Secretary/Member Finance, PSF,
visited PASTIC Sub Center, Quetta
capacity-building activities in the region. He also requested
support for addressing the issues faced by the Sub-Centre to
further enhance its effectiveness and ensure the successful
implementation of future programs.
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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