Islamic Research Institute, established in 1960 under a constitutional provision, initially worked as a research unit of Government of Pakistan. It was attached to the newly-established Islamic University, Islamabad as its research arm in 1980. When the University received its new charter as International Islamic University, in 1985, the Institute remained its part.

The main objectives of the Institute are to develop a methodology for research in the various fields of Islamic learning; to identify contemporary problems and to study/interpret the teachings of Islam in the context of the intellectual and scientific progress of the modern world in order to assist the Pakistani society and the Muslim Ummah to live according to the imperatives of Islam.

The results of the work are published in Institute’s Arabic, Urdu and English quarterly journals; books; monographs and research reports. The Institute also organises seminars, conferences and workshops to achieve and promote its objectives.