Research constitutes the second major function of the PIIA. A team of researchers remains engaged in carrying out constant research and information programme on international affairs, particularly on those that primarily affect Pakistan, in an impartial, scientific and scholarly manner.

The Institute has a regular publishing programme geared to its research activities. Research work at the Institute is published either in book form or in Pakistan Horizon, the scholarly journal of the Institute.

Research Staff contribute chronology, survey of Pakistan foreign policy, book reviews and research articles to the Pakistan Horizon on a regular basis. The staff entertains research queries and provides research guidance to the local and foreign students of International Relations and Political Science. The Researchers also help the Institute’s library staff in maintaining clipping files.