ABSTRACT
This article traces the origins and development of archives in Pakistan. The focus is on the National Archives of Pakistan, but also includes a discussion of the archival collections at the provincial and district levels. This study further examines the state of training facilities available to Pakistani archivists. Archival development has been hindered because of several constraints, including the lack of competent personnel, the need for better coordination among archival institutions, absence of national leadership in archival issues, and the limited application of information technology in archival work. The author suggests several areas that need attention in order to improve the current situation: (1) the need for the National Archives of Pakistan to take on a more active role in promoting archival activities; (2) the dire need to introduce information technology in archival institutions; (3) the revival of the Post-Graduate Diploma in Archive Studies at the University of Sindh, along with a revision of the curriculum by incorporating courses on information technology; and (4) the formation of a Pakistan Society of Archivists.