[2][3] Located in East Antarctica, it lies in the vicinity of the Sør Rondane Mountains in Queen Maud Land, and is named after Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

[6][7] Pakistan currently maintains one summertime research station and the Iqbal weather observatory in Queen Maud Land, a Norwegian-claimed Antarctic territory.

In 2001, the data operational system was linked to the Badr-B satellite, beginning regular transmission of digital imagery of the region to NIO headquarters in Karachi.

In 2010, Pakistan's government approved a plan to expand the JAS facility into a permanent operational base.

As part of a joint effort with the United States, the Jinnah Antarctic Station is frequently visited by American scientists who conduct research with their Pakistani counterparts.