Institute of Architects Pakistan was established in 1957 by a small group of architects who were trained in the west, had worked for the government and were in practice with the following objectives:

• To organize the profession of architecture in Pakistan and look after professional interests as well as those of the public in general concerned with the building profession.
• To promote the cause of Architecture in Pakistan and to assist in the setting up of schools of Architecture throughout the country.
• To enforce a code of ethics and discipline amongst the practicing architects. For this purpose, they have promoted the passing of a statutory Registration Act for Architects in Pakistan.
• To establish contact with other national and international professional bodies of architects
• Throughout the world, and
• To conduct research and organize seminars, conferences and exhibitions for promoting the cause of the architectural profession.

Over the years IAP has to its credit the establishment of the first school of architecture in Karachi, in 1954, which was subsequently upgraded to a five-year degree program.

Members of IAP have been instrumental in setting up and running many of the other architecture schools in the country. Apart from the majority of the full-time faculty who are members of IAP, a large numbers of senior members of IAP are associated with schools as visiting professors, thesis advisors and jurors.

IAP has also conducted several architectural design competitions at local, national and international levels for the government and corporate clients.

There are currently over 2200 fellow and associates members borne on the register of IAP, besides over 2000 student members.

IAP has been a member of the following international organizations:

• International Union of Architects (UIA)
• Commonwealth Association Of Architects (CAA)
• Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA), and
• SAARC Association of Architects (SAARCH)

Members of IAP have been on the Council of UIA in different periods and have been very actively involved with ARCASIA since its inception and held various offices including the Chairmanship. IAP is a founding member of the Architects Regional Council Asia (ARCASIA) that comprises of 19 Countries and is dedicated to improving architectural education in the country especially with the increase of schools in the last decade.

IAP has currently Six Chapters covering the entire country:

• Karachi Chapter is the largest and covers the Provinces of Sindh having more than
• 800 registered architects.
• Lahore Chapter covers the Province of Punjab
• Rawalpindi-Islamabad Chapter covers Islamabad Federal Area and the Northern Areas
• Peshawar Chapter covers KPK
• Quetta Chapter covers Baluchistan
• Chenab Chapter covers Gujrat region

The IAP Chapters have been very active in organizing several events in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, for the members. The activities include the hosting of conferences and symposia, workshops and lectures, conducting design competitions for professionals and students, organizing local and international architectural exhibitions and agitating with the concerned government authorities on issues of environment, architectural education, built heritage, civic amenities and building bye-laws, and city planning.

Nominees of IAP serve on many committees of the Local, Provincial and Federal Government bodies and are involved in assisting the government at different levels including revision of building byelaws of different towns and cities. IAP also organizes design competitions for the government and corporate clientele.