Islamabad, January 27, 2026: The Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture convened Tuesday at the Parliament Lodges under the chairmanship of Senator Hidayatullah Khan to review the mandate, capacity, and policy framework of the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture and its attached departments.
The Secretary of the Ministry briefed the Committee on its organizational structure, sanctioned posts, human resource strength, autonomous bodies, attached departments, and annual budget allocations. Detailed presentations were also delivered by the Director General of the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) and the Director General of the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DOAM), highlighting cultural programs, employee strength, and financial allocations over the past two years.
During the session, members expressed concern over the Quaid-e-Azam Mazaar Management Board (QMMB) and emphasized the need for an annual calendar of cultural events. The Ministry reported that international cultural exchanges had been conducted last year with countries including China, Japan, Korea, and Kuwait.
Senator Sarmad Ali inquired about financial support for retired or financially constrained artists, and the Ministry confirmed that mechanisms are in place. The Committee also discussed provincial contributions to federal cultural institutions and highlighted the importance of the National Archives operating under the Ministry.
Serious concern was raised regarding limited gallery space at the National Museum in Karachi, where only 10,000 of over 100,000 artifacts are on display. Members stressed the urgent need for a purpose-built National Museum in Islamabad to showcase Pakistan’s complete cultural heritage. The Committee also discussed the Shemza painting, repatriation of stolen artifacts, and ongoing efforts under international Memoranda of Understanding to recover cultural property smuggled abroad.
The status of Pakistan’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites was reviewed, with the Committee urging the Ministry to register additional sites. Archaeological excavation updates were presented, including ongoing projects by American and German teams in Sindh and a Japanese proposal to explore Shah Allah Ditta caves.
The Committee recommended annual cultural exhibitions across all provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, and discussed funding, human resource capacity, digital archives, and international cooperation.
Senator Hidayatullah Khan emphasized the importance of strengthening national heritage institutions through policy oversight, coordinated planning, and enhanced cultural diplomacy.
