Islamabad, June 11, 2026: The Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture met today under the chairmanship of Senator Hidayatullah Khan to review matters pertaining to the preservation, promotion, and protection of the country’s cultural heritage.
The meeting was attended by Senators Bushra Anjum Butt, Rubina Khalid, Syed Waqar Mehdi, and the mover of the agenda item, Senator Shahadat Awan, along with Minister for National Heritage and Culture Mr. Aurangzeb Khan Khichi and senior officials of the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture Division.
The Committee considered The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) (Amendment) Bill, 2026. During the briefing, the Committee was informed that the proposed amendments relate to certain provisions of the 2022 ordinance, including the replacement of the term “Federal Government” with “Prime Minister” in various sections of the law. Senator Bushra Anjum Butt sought clarification on the rationale behind the proposed changes. The Committee was informed that the amendments had been proposed in light of the directions issued by the Supreme Court in a related case. After detailed deliberations, the Committee unanimously approved the Bill.
Meanwhile, the Committee considered Starred Question No. 64 regarding the legal framework for the protection and preservation of heritage sites and the measures being taken to enforce relevant laws against encroachments, illegal constructions, and damage to cultural assets.
During the discussion, Senator Shahadat Awan sought details of the Ministry’s coordination with provincial governments following the devolution of the subject under the 18th Constitutional Amendment. Ministry officials informed the Committee that no formal working arrangement had been established. Senator Shahadat Awan further inquired whether any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), legal framework, or formal mechanism had been developed to institutionalize such coordination, observing that no concrete evidence of these efforts had been presented before the Committee. Expressing dissatisfaction, he stressed the need for a more structured approach.
Senator Bushra Anjum Butt emphasized that coordination should not be limited to workshops and informal engagements but should be supported through written rules and a formal institutional framework.
Senator Shahadat Awan also expressed concern over the absence of comprehensive information regarding potential new World Heritage sites. While briefing the Committee, the Minister for National Heritage and Culture informed members that proposals for bhambore and Ranigat had been submitted to UNESCO. However, the organization had indicated that only one nomination could be processed annually.
Highlighting the importance of proactive engagement, Senator Shahadat Awan observed that consistent nominations over the years could have significantly increased the number of internationally recognized heritage sites. He also inquired about public outreach initiatives and awareness tools developed by the Ministry. During the briefing, Ministry officials demonstrated a mobile application developed for heritage-related information. Senator Shahadat Awan noted that the application was not prominently displayed on the Ministry’s website and recommended that the application and other relevant information be made readily accessible to the public through official digital platforms.
The Minister also informed the Committee that the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture receives one of the lowest budget allocations among all federal ministries.
Additionally, the Chairman Committee recommended that a meeting with the Prime Minister be arranged to discuss the matter and explore avenues for enhanced support to the Ministry. The Chairman Committee subsequently deferred the agenda item and directed the Ministry to appear before the committee in its next meeting with complete details and a comprehensive briefing on the issues raised.
