The Pakistan Institute of International Affairs was established in 1947 as a non-official, non-party and non-profit making body dedicated to study and research in international relations, economics and jurisprudence. It is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860. Its precursor, The Indian Institute of International Affairs was established in Delhi in 1936 and moved to Karachi when Pakistan was created, by a majority vote of its members. Thus it is the oldest society of academic excellence in South Asia.