# Top 27 research institutes in Pakistan

Tamtam tracks 27 research institutes headquartered in Pakistan. This list ranks all of them by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by Aga Khan University, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad and COMSATS University Islamabad. Their median headcount is 613. Half of them were founded in 1994 or later. The most common headquarters are Lahore (8), Islamabad (5) and Multan (3).

These Pakistani organizations are primarily higher education institutions, ranging from general universities to specialized institutes in fields like agriculture, engineering, and veterinary sciences. Most were established between the 1980s and early 2000s, indicating a period of significant growth in the country's educational infrastructure. They are generally large institutions, with employee counts ranging from several hundred to nearly 9,000, suggesting a substantial workforce dedicated to academic and research pursuits.

Key organizations include Aga Khan University, a global university focused on education, research, and healthcare; University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, a leading institution in agricultural education; COMSATS University Islamabad, bridging gaps through science and technology; and University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, offering programs in engineering and architecture. A notable pattern is the concentration of these institutions in major cities, particularly Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, which serve as educational hubs.

🇵🇰 Pakistan · 27 companies · Updated Nov 12, 2026

| # | Company | Industry | Headquarters | Employees | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Aga Khan University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/aga-khan-university) (aku.edu)<br>Global university: world-class education, research, healthcare improving quality of life in developing countries, empowering communities, generating knowledge, setting standards. | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Karachi | 8,971 | 1983 |
| 2 | [University of Agriculture, Faisalabad](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/university-of-agriculture-faisalabad) (web.uaf.edu.pk)<br>Leading institution in agricultural education with a diverse faculty offering programs in agriculture, engineering, veterinary science, and social sciences Recognized as a top university in the field | Education Administration Programs | 🇵🇰 Faisalabad | 3,934 | 1906 |
| 3 | [COMSATS University Islamabad](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/comsats-university-islamabad) (comsats.edu.pk)<br>An international organization dedicated to bridging the gap between developed and developing countries through the use of science and technology | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Islamabad | 2,803 | 1998 |
| 4 | [University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/university-of-engineering-and-technology-lahore) (uet.edu.pk)<br>The company is a renowned university offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering, architecture, planning, and other disciplines since 1921 | Education | 🇵🇰 Lahore | 2,434 | 1921 |
| 5 | [IIUI](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/iiui) (iiu.edu.pk)<br>Educational institution founded in 1980, aiming to produce scholars with Islamic knowledge and skills to meet modern societal needs | Education Administration Programs | 🇵🇰 Islamabad | 2,036 | 1980 |
| 6 | [University of Gujrat, Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/university-of-gujrat-pakistan) (uog.edu.pk)<br>Established in 2004 by the Government of Punjab, this university caters to higher education needs, promotes research, and serves Central Punjab's population | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Gujrat | 1,962 | 2004 |
| 7 | [Institute of Business Administration](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/institute-of-business-administration) (iba.edu.pk)<br>Provides higher education through academic programs focused on leadership development, excellence, and impactful research to prepare students for professional career success. | Education Administration Programs | 🇵🇰 Karachi | 1,371 | 1955 |
| 8 | [Arid Agriculture University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/arid-agriculture-university) (uaar.edu.pk)<br>Agricultural university focusing on producing high-quality scientists, with a mission to develop dryland regions and reduce income disparities | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Rawalpindi | 1,105 | 1994 |
| 9 | [Minhaj University Lahore](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/minhaj-university-lahore) (mul.edu.pk)<br>Minhaj University focuses on developing skilled and morally strong individuals through tailored educational programs, contributing to national development and promoting Islamic values | Education Administration Programs | 🇵🇰 Lahore | 883 |  |
| 10 | [University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/university-of-veterinary-and-animal-sciences-pakistan) (uvas.edu.pk)<br>A prestigious educational institution offering a wide range of programs in veterinary and animal sciences, biotechnology, food sciences, and more for professional development | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Lahore | 724 | 2002 |
| 11 | [Lahore School of Economics](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/lahore-school-of-economics) (lahoreschoolofeconomics.edu.pk)<br>A distinguished seat of learning offering high-quality teaching and research in various fields such as economics, finance, business administration, and social sciences | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Lahore | 708 | 1997 |
| 12 | [University of Okara](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/university-of-okara) (uo.edu.pk)<br>An educational institution located in Okara, Punjab Pakistan, dedicated to providing higher education and academic opportunities to students | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Okara | 646 |  |
| 13 | [National Textile University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/national-textile-university) (ntu.edu.pk)<br>A renowned textile institute established in 1954 by visionary industrialists, providing quality education and training in textile technology in Pakistan | Education Administration Programs | 🇵🇰 Faisalabad | 614 |  |
| 14 | [Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/bahauddin-zakariya-university-bzu) (bzu.edu.pk)<br>The company is a university in Multan, Pakistan, with a rich educational heritage offering a wide range of departments and programs | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Multan | 613 |  |
| 15 | [COMSATS Institue of Information Technology, Lahore](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/comsats-institue-of-information-technology-lahore) (ciitlahore.edu.pk)<br>The company is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research, education, and public service to benefit Pakistan, Muslim Ummah, and the world | Research Services | 🇵🇰 Lahore | 557 | 2000 |
| 16 | [National University of Medical Sciences \| NUMS Official](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/national-university-of-medical-sciences-nums-official) (numspak.edu.pk)<br>A research-led institution offering advanced health education, research, and services through a network of military hospitals and medical colleges | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Rawalpindi | 542 | 2015 |
| 17 | [King Edward Medical University Lahore](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/king-edward-medical-university-lahore) (kemu.edu.pk)<br>A public medical university in Lahore, Pakistan, founded in 1860 and named after King Edward VII | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Lahore | 541 | 1860 |
| 18 | [Information Technology University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/information-technology-university) (itu.edu.pk)<br>A Lahore-based institution advancing scholarship and innovation in science, technology, and engineering through applied research, entrepreneurial culture, and industry collaboration | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Lahore | 533 | 2012 |
| 19 | [Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/pakistan-agricultural-research-council-parc) (parc.gov.pk)<br>Apex national organization collaborates with federal and provincial institutions to provide science-based solutions for agriculture in Pakistan | Research Services | 🇵🇰 Islamabad | 516 |  |
| 20 | [University of Engineering & Technology Peshawar](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/university-of-engineering-and-technology-peshawar) (uetpeshawar.edu.pk)<br>Offers undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees across twenty-two departments, with six campuses across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, including a main campus in Peshawar. | Research Services | 🇵🇰 | 451 | 1980 |
| 21 | [Rawalpindi Medical University](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/rawalpindi-medical-university) (rmur.edu.pk)<br>A university offering undergraduate programs in MBBS and BSC Allied Health, as well as postgraduate residency and fellowship programs in Rawalpindi, Pakistan | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Rawalpindi | 450 | 1974 |
| 22 | [University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/university-of-engineering-and-technology-taxila) (web.uettaxila.edu.pk)<br>An educational institution located on the outskirts of Taxila, offering various academic departments, student housing, and amenities on a 163-acre campus | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Taxila | 442 |  |
| 23 | [National Defence University Islamabad](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/national-defence-university-islamabad) (ndu.edu.pk)<br>Providing advanced education and research in national security, policy, and strategy formulation for senior leadership and society. | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Islamabad | 321 | 1970 |
| 24 | [Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/muhammad-nawaz-shareef-university-of-agriculture-multan) (mnsuam.edu.pk)<br>Specialized agricultural university in Southern Punjab focused on research, education, and practical training in various fields of agriculture with highly qualified faculty | Architecture and Planning | 🇵🇰 Multan | 239 | 2012 |
| 25 | [MNS University of Agriculture, Multan](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/mns-university-of-agriculture-multan) (mnsuam.edu.pk)<br>Public university located in Multan, Punjab, Pakistan, established in 2012 to provide agricultural education on the initiative of Chief Minister Punjab | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Multan | 225 | 2012 |
| 26 | [COMSATS University, Islamabad](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/comsats-university-islamabad-13739617) (comsats.edu.pk)<br>A public research university in Pakistan with multiple campuses, offering a variety of degree programs and fostering entrepreneurship and innovation | Education Administration Programs | 🇵🇰 Islamabad | 199 | 1998 |
| 27 | [Allama Iqbal Medical College](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/allama-iqbal-medical-college) (aimc.edu.pk)<br>A prestigious medical college in Lahore, Pakistan, committed to excellence in medical education, healthcare services, research, and clinical training | Higher Education | 🇵🇰 Lahore | 178 | 1975 |

## How this list is built

Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 12, 2026.

## More company lists in Pakistan

- [The largest companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/largest-companies-pakistan) (1,026)
- [Manufacturers in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/manufacturers-pakistan) (227)
- [Education providers in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/education-companies-pakistan) (162)
- [Multinational companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/multinational-companies-pakistan) (110)
- [Retail chains in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/retail-chains-pakistan) (101)
- [Public sector organisations in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/public-sector-organisations-pakistan) (97)
- [Critical infrastructure operators in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/critical-infrastructure-operators-pakistan) (92)
- [Companies with a mobile app in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/companies-with-mobile-app-pakistan) (74)
- [Publicly traded companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/publicly-traded-companies-pakistan) (74)
- [Corporate groups and holding companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/holding-companies-pakistan) (72)
- [Higher Education companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/higher-education-companies-pakistan) (69)
- [IT Services and IT Consulting companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/it-services-and-it-consulting-companies-pakistan) (67)
- [Textile Manufacturing companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/textile-manufacturing-companies-pakistan) (63)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-pakistan) (60)
- [IT services companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/it-services-companies-pakistan) (59)
- [Healthcare providers in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/healthcare-providers-pakistan) (52)
- [Hospitals and Health Care companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hospitals-and-health-care-companies-pakistan) (52)
- [Education Administration Programs companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/education-administration-programs-companies-pakistan) (47)
- [Food and beverage companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/food-and-beverage-companies-pakistan) (46)
- [E-commerce companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/ecommerce-companies-pakistan) (45)
- [Chemical companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/chemical-companies-pakistan) (42)
- [Energy companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/energy-companies-pakistan) (41)
- [Financial services firms in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/financial-services-firms-pakistan) (41)
- [Retail Apparel and Fashion companies in Pakistan](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/retail-apparel-and-fashion-companies-pakistan) (38)

## The same list elsewhere

- [Research institutes in the world](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/research-institutes-in-the-world) (5,686)
- [Research institutes in Asia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/research-institutes-in-asia) (853)

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Source: https://www.tamtam.ai/l/research-institutes-pakistan