The foundation of the University was laid on the first day of the 15th Hijrah Century, Muharram 1, 1401 (November 11, 1980). This landmark of the beginning of the new century symbolizes the aspirations and hopes of the Muslim Ummah for an Islamic renaissance. The desire to produce scholars and practitioners, imbued with Islamic learning, character and personality, and capable to meet the economic, social, political, and intellectual needs of modern times is the aim of this university. The University started as “Islamic University” with only 9 students in its LL.M degree Program and classes being held at the Campus of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. The University was upgraded, restructured and reconstituted as “International Islamic University” with the promulgation of the International Islamic University Ordinance by the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in March 1985.
In the year 2007-08 with nine (8) faculties and six (6) autonomous academies, institutes and centers the University is conducting around ninety (90) academic programs with an enrollment of over 12,000 students that include around 5,500 female students. In addition around 2,000 are enrolled in the Iqra Technical Centre, a constituent unit of the University.