Defence Science and Technology Organization The Defence Science and Technology Organization , best known as DESTO , is a government agency of responsible for the development military technology use by the military , as well as promotion of military funding of science , located in Rawalpindi , Punjab province of Pakistan . DESTO is an independent science and defence research organization , known for its research in aerospace and satellite technology . The profiles and information of the DESTO ' s scientists , executive officers , and engineers working are not known . DESTO ' s research and development activities cover a variety of disciplines , which include aerodynamics , rocket propulsion , aerospace engineering , mechanical engineering , chemical engineering , electrical engineering defense electronics , computer systems , engineering , propellants , explosives , materials , satellite technology , and chemical and biological defense . Due to heavy contribution to the science and technology as well as defence work , DESTO has emerged as one of the most known institution and is considered as one of the secret science organization and agency in Pakistan due to its secrecy . History . The establishment of DESTO was the brainchild and dream of Abdul Hafeez , a weapon scientist and a radiochemist . DESTO was established by the military scientists belonging to Pakistan Armed Forces , in 1963 , to serve the Pakistan Armed Forces by undertaking basic and applied research and reverse engineering . The DESTO performs under the auspicious of Ministry of Defence and it is a principal research and development agency . DESTO conducts research and development on weapon systems , technology , and renders technical advice on weapons - related scientific and technological issues to the Government of Pakistan . Aeronautics and Space Division . DESTO is perhaps better known for its research in the aeronautics , satellite technology , aerospace engineering , mechanical engineering . DESTO has been involved deeply in Pakistan ' s space program and have helped SUPARCO in manufacturing the liquid and solid propollent motors technology . DESTO ' s scientist has been involved in Pakistan ' s military - purpose space program and has succussfully developed the surveillance electronics system for the Badr - B satellite . DESTO ' s research and development activities cover a variety of disciplines , which include aerodynamics , propulsion , defense electronics , computer systems , engineering , propellants , explosives , materials , and chemical and biological defense . Besides providing research and development support to other defense research and production agencies in Pakistan , DESTO also provides support to government - owned public sector companies . Involvement in Nuclear Weapons . In 1974 , following the surprise India ' s nuclear test — codename " Smiling Buddha " . Munir Ahmad Khan , and with Abdus Salam , chaired a meeting with the officials of DESTO . Dr . Zaman Sheikh , a chemical engineer from DESTO , was tasked to developed chemical explosive lens es , tamper s , and triggering mechanized system , necessary in the technology of the fission weapon . The codename for this project was " Wah Group Scientists " ( WGS ) , and the work was done in the Metallurgical Laboratory at the Wah Cantonment in 1978 . Later , it was renamed as Directorate for Technical Development ( DTD ) , and was charged with the testing of the weapons . After Pakistan conducted nuclear tests — codename " Chagai - I " and " II " — in May 1998 , the United States Government identified and sanctioned DESTO for involvement in Pakistan ' s nuclear and missile programs . However , the details of its contribution to Pakistan ' s ballistic missile programs remain classified . However , after Pakistan ' s heavy contribution on War on terror , the United States Government uplifted the sanctions on DESTO .