A brief description of Pakistan (physical setting, population, economy, government, communications, and rural development program) and its educational system introduce a description of the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) in Islamabad. AIOU was established by the Pakistani government primarily to provide adult and continuing education through mass media. Brief descriptions are given of these elements of the institution's history and operation: policy and legal origins; intended clientele; curriculum offerings and organization; media and methods of instruction; course creation, production, and distribution; student admission, registration, and records; regional offices, support services, and student financial aid; student evaluation; organization and administration; governance; financial control; institutional research; and staff and physical facilities. (MSE)