In 1961, on the advice of Prof. Abdus Salam, the then Scientific Adviser to the President of Pakistan, it was decided to set up a Committee dealing with space sciences. Consequently, a Space Sciences Research Wing of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) was established through an Executive Order of the President of Pakistan dated 16 September 1961, which was addressed to Dr I H Usmani, the then Chairman PAEC. The programme of rocket firings was entrusted to Chairman PAEC. Initially the Space Sciences Research Wing had the following members:
- Prof Abdus Salam, FRS – Chairman
- Dr I H Usmani, Chairman PAEC – Vice-Chairman
- Mr Sibte Nabi Naqvi, Director, Pakistan Meteorological Department – Member
- Dr Innas Ali, Member PAEC – Member