Press Release Title: Senator Hidayatullah Khan, Chairman Senate Standing Committee On National Heritage and Culture Presiding over a Meeting of The Committee at Parliament House, Islamabad.

Press Release Date: 13th April, 2026

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture was held at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Hidayatullah Khan. The meeting was attended by Senators Rubina Khalid, Syed Waqar Mehdi, and Senator Sarmad Ali (online), along with the Secretary, Ministry of National Heritage and Culture, and other relevant officials.   The Committee received detailed briefings from the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), the National Library of Pakistan (NLP), and the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) regarding their roles, functions, responsibilities, and measures taken to promote regional culture, provide a literary environment for youth, and promote the national language at both national and international levels. The Committee also reviewed their annual budget allocations in detail.   The Director General of PNCA informed the Committee that the organization was established under an Act of 1973, with its headquarters in Islamabad and regional offices in Lahore, Karachi, Gilgit, Quetta, and Jamshoro. Committee members noted with concern the absence of a regional office in Peshawar and decided to write to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Chief Secretary in this regard.   Senator Rubina Khalid suggested that the matter be taken up with the Federal Minister and subsequently with the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Senator Waqar Mehdi emphasized the need to better highlight PNCA’s functions and create public awareness about the facilities it offers. The Committee was informed that PNCA is governed by a Board of Governors comprising 30 members. Members expressed concern that out of 30 members 8 are from cultural management and recommended that individuals from relevant artistic fields be included. The Chairman of the Committee sought details regarding the appointment procedure, tenure, annual income, and profiles (CVs) of the Board members to assess their qualifications.   The Committee also directed PNCA to provide details of its income and expenditures for the past three years. It was informed that during FY 2024–25, PNCA organized 38 programs under the Performing Arts Division, 41 under the Visual Arts Division, 30 by the National Puppet Theatre, and 2 under cultural pacts implementation.   The Committee was further informed that PNCA has 232 sanctioned posts, of which 43 are vacant. The institution generated revenue of Rs. 185 million in FY 2024–25, compared to Rs. 48 million in FY 2023–24 and Rs. 69 million in FY 2022–23. The annual budget stands at Rs. 265 million, while the PSDP allocation is Rs. 9 million. The Committee expressed concern over the low PSDP allocation and recommended its increase. The Secretary informed that a proposal of Rs. 10 billion for the next fiscal year is under consideration.   The Committee stressed the importance of these institutions and directed that the matter of increased funding be taken up with the Prime Minister. Senator Rubina Khalid suggested organizing workshops with renowned artists and providing greater opportunities to emerging talent, especially ensuring children’s inclusion in cultural programs.   The Committee was also informed that due to security concerns, PNCA events have not been approved over the past two months; however, new programs are being planned for the upcoming year, for which sponsorships are required. Some programs have already been planned with support from Korea and South Africa.   A detailed briefing was also given on affiliated institutions including the National Art Gallery, Shakir Ali Museum Lahore, and the Performing Arts Division.   The Committee recommended inclusion of culture-related subjects in the national curriculum and was informed that efforts are underway to digitize systems. It was further apprised that nationwide celebrations are being organized to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, while the year from November 2026 to November 2027 will be celebrated as the 150th birth anniversary year of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal. The Committee directed that all provinces be engaged and PEMRA be advised to ensure adequate media coverage of such events.   The Director General of the National Language Promotion Department briefed the Committee that the institution was established through a Presidential Order dated October 4, 1979, under the 1973 Constitution, with the mandate to promote Urdu as the national language and facilitate its implementation across official domains. The Department has published over 700 books and provided training in Urdu correspondence to thousands of government officials.   The Committee was informed that the Department’s budget allocations include Rs. 150 million for Islamabad, Rs. 26 million for Karachi, and Rs. 72 million for Lahore. Members took serious notice of incorrect Urdu usage on highways and at airports and directed immediate corrective measures in coordination with relevant departments.   The Committee was also briefed on the performance of the National Library of Pakistan. It was informed that the Library has 87 sanctioned posts, of which 13 are vacant, and an annual budget of Rs. 130 million, with 80% allocated to salaries. The Library houses over 11,000 rare books, 560 manuscripts, and archives of newspapers spanning from 1966 to 2017. Many rare books and archives have been digitized.   The Committee noted that the registration fee of Rs. 500 for three years is too low and recommended revising it on an annual basis. It also emphasized the need to promote reading culture and improve facilities for readers.   The meeting concluded with a strong emphasis on strengthening cultural institutions, promoting national heritage, and ensuring effective implementation of policies for cultural and linguistic development across the country.