Address: SUPARCO Headquarters,
Sector 28, Off University Road
Gulzar-e-Hijri
P.O. Box 8402
Karachi-75270, Pakistan
Telephone: (92-21) 8150765-67
Fax: (92-21) 8144928, 8144941
Email: suparco@super.net.pk
URL: http://www.suparco.gov.pk/index.html
Primary Function: SUPARCO is Pakistan's national civilian space agency. It is primarily responsible for the execution of space-related science and technology programs as approved by the Government of Pakistan. Since the early 1990s, SUPARCO is also involved in the development of solid-fueled short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.

Description and Activities:
SUPARCO has created in 1962 for purposes of upper atmosphere research under the control of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). The agency's headquarters are located in Karachi; other labs and facilities are located in Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, and Peshawar.

SUPARCO is primarily involved in civilian space programs. These conduct research in "satellite meteorology, ozone profiling...atmospheric pollution, satellite geodesy, and astronomy." Other areas of research include the application of satellite remote sensing for surveying natural resources and environmental monitoring; radio wave propagation and geomagnetism; the design and assembly of sounding rockets; fabrication of light-weight satellites for low-earth orbit and communication satellites for geosynchronous orbit; development of facilities to track rockets and satellites; developing instrumentation and software to support different research and development programs. SUPARCO is also reportedly developing Pakistan's first satellite launch vehicle (SLV).

Despite SUPARCO's civilian orientation, the agency is believed to be involved in the development of short- and medium-range solid-fueled ballistic missiles for Pakistan's military. SUPARCO has set up facilities for the complete manufacture of rockets and has thus far launched more than 200 sounding rockets to conduct scientific experiments in the altitude range of 20-550km. However, some analysts believe that the agency most likely used technology imported for the sounding rocket program in the development of the Hatf-I and Hatf-II short-range ballistic missile programs in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In July 1991, the United States sanctioned SUPARCO and two Chinese entities for missile-related proliferation activities. In 1995, the United States warned that SUPARCO was seeking equipment from various European suppliers for Pakistan's ballistic missile program. Among other items, SUPARCO has attempted to procure composites, specialty alloys, and production and testing equipment for rockets, including electronic beam welding equipment which is used for specialized welding on a missile airframe. In March 1996, Taiwanese custom authorities intercepted 200 tons of ammonium perchlorate (AP) bound for SUPARCO on a North Korean freighter. AP is an oxidizer used in solid propellants; the shipment originated in Xian in China. Hong Kong authorities also seized 10 tons of AP bound for SUPARCO in April 1996; the shipment originated in the North Korean port of Nampo and was shipped through Xian in China. Another 10-ton shipment of AP was intercepted by Hong Kong customs in December 1996; the shipment apparently originated in North Korea and was routed through China.

In Early July 1997, Pakistan's National Defense Complex (NDC) tested an Hatf-III/Ghaznavi/M-11 ballistic missile from SUPARCO's flight-test range at Sonmiani beach, which is located 50km NW of the port city of Karachi. Subsequently, the NDC also tested the Hatf-IV/Shaheen-I (possibly M-9) ballistic missile from Sonmiani in April 1999.

Key Sources: "Imposition of Missile Proliferation Sanctions Against Chinese and Pakistani Entities," Federal Register, 17 July 1991; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 17 July 1991, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; Paul Proctor, "Pakistan's Space Agency Building Second Experimental Satellite," Aviation Week & Space Technology, 10 August 1992, Vol. 137, No., p. 46, Competition in Pakistan Skies; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 2 September 1992, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "USA warns of Pakistan missile plan," Flight International, 17 May 1995; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 17 May 1995, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Puk Han, Pakistan's Missile Chaejoyong Hwahagmulchil Such'ul Shido," Chosun Ilbo, 12 March 1996, <http://www.chosun.com/>; "Rocket Chejoyong Kwayŏmsosanyŏm/Puk, Pakistan Such'ul'gido," Hankyoreh Shinmun, 13 March 1996, p. 2, in KINDS, <http://www.kinds.or.kr/>; Michelle Chin and Glenn Schloss, "Customs raid uncovers huge haul of rocket fuel," South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), 18 September 1996, p. 1; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 18 September 1996, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Glenn Schloss, "DPRK Firm Said Behind Rocket Fuel Bound for Pakistan," South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), 13 December 1996; in FBIS Document FTS19961213000119, 13 December 1996; Andrew Koch, "Pakistan persists with nuclear procurement," Jane's Intelligence Review (Coulsdon, Surrey), March 1997; Amit Barua, "Pak test-fires two missiles," Hindu (Chennai), 24 July 1997, p. 1; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 24 July 1997, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Government Confirms Test-Firing of New Missile," Agence France Presse, 3 July 1997; in FBIS Document FTS19970703000413, 3 July 1997; Manvendra Singh, "Look Out for Pak's Next Missile: it's Likely To Be the Chinese M-9," Indian Express (New Delhi), 9 July 1998; in FBIS Document FTS19980709001078, 9 July 1998; "Pakistan Tests Nuclear-Capable Missiles," New York Times, 16 April 1999, p. 4; in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, 16 April 1999, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; "Qadeer Khan: Pakistani scientists active in building Satellite Launch Vehicle," Dawn (Karachi), 11 March 2001; in FBIS Document SAP20010311000032, 11 March 2001.

	Updated December 2003