The Centre is commonly known as Pak-Swiss Training Centre or PSTC. It was a joint project of Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), Govt. of Pakistan and the Swiss Foundation for Technical Assistance (SWISSCONTACT), Govt. of Switzerland.

Pakistan had given consideration early in 1962 to approach Switzerland for a joint project in one of the advance fields of engineering techniques. The specialty of Precision Mechanics and Instrumentation was selected and an agreement signed in 1963 between the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Swiss Foundation for Technical Assistance, Zurich to establish in Karachi a Training Centre, which will produce technicians in the field of Precision Mechanics and Instrument Technology. The Institute opened its doors on the 6th September, 1965 and consequently first batch of 24 students was admitted in 3 years Diploma of Associate Engineer in Instrument Technology, duly recognized by the Sindh Board of Technical Education.

The cost of Centre was borne partly by Swiss Foundation for Technical Assistance, in the form of 10 Swiss Experts and machines and equipment worth over 1.4 million Swiss Franks, and partly by Government of Pakistan in the form of Workshop and Office Building, Hostel and other local expenditure costing over 1 million Pak rupees and also day to day recurring expenditure.

Since, 1965 the Centre is progressing and expanding its activities slowly and gradually as can be seen in the panoramic organization structure of the PSTC. Considering the demand the intake of the students was extended from 24 to 48 students per year.

In the year 1980 a Diploma of Associate Engineer in Dies & Mould Technology was started again with collaboration of SWISSCOTNACT, Govt. of Switzerland. A separate Workshop was constructed and new machines and equipment was installed for the training of 36 students in D&M 3rd Year & 4th Year. This Diploma course has resulted successful and met the demand of Local and multinational industries.

The Project of Instrumentation & Process Control Technology was prepared by PSTC-PCSIR, Govt. of Pakistan and completed with the collaboration of Spanish Government. The program commenced in the year 2005 to train students in Instrumentation and Process Control Technology for 30 students. This is the latest technology having sky-scraping skilled manpower for most significant industries e.g. Fertilizer Plants, Refineries, Power Plants, Cement Plants, etc.

PSTC is now serving the nation by providing highly skilled manpower in 03 disciplines with 96 in morning session and 66 in the evening session in a year. These students are capable to serve local and multination industries as well as in the Govt. Sector at high sophisticated engineering areas. Apart from DAE Programs, PSTC has also initiated B.Tech. (Pass) Degree Program in Mechanical Technology with the affiliation of NED University of Engineering & Technology.

Beside these regular courses PSTC is also focusing to facilitate local & multinational Industries by offering different Professional Short courses & Tailored Courses in evening session. These courses have been appreciated by the industries and thousands of candidates having trained by these courses since late 90’s.