[1] Some of its stated functions are the acquisition, preservation, conservation, reprography, restoration, automation, dissemination and access of documents.

NAP is also responsible for the facilitation of important state documents and collections of dated files.

On 8 December 1973, the directorate was divided into two which gave rise to a separate National Archives under the authority of the Cabinet Division.

A major newspaper of Pakistan reported, "Despite the existence of the National Archives Act 1993 and the Archives Material (Preservation and Export Control) Act 1975, government ministries have been lax in transferring documents to NAP.

[9] The National Archives of Pakistan (NAP) houses the following important collections, among others:[10] NAP has participated in more than 50 international conferences, seminars, symposium and workshopsmore than 50 international conferences, seminars, symposium and workshops, and hosted International Symposium on Archives 1982 (participated 13 countries), 1989 SWARBICA Regional Seminar on Training Needs and Policies (participated by 7 countries) and 1991 SAARC Seminar on Archives.