ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture was informed on Monday that events planned by the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) had not been approved for the past two months due to security concerns. However, new programs are being planned for the coming year, with sponsorships being sought, including support from South Korea and South Africa.
Chaired by Senator Hidayatullah Khan at Parliament House, the committee was also briefed on funding issues, noting concern over a Rs9 million PSDP allocation despite the PNCA’s Rs265 million annual budget. Members urged that the matter be taken up with the prime minister for increased funding.
The PNCA, National Library of Pakistan (NLP), and National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) briefed the committee on their functions and efforts to promote culture and language. PNCA reported organizing 38 performing arts events, 41 visual arts programs, 30 puppet theatre shows, and two cultural exchange activities in FY2024–25. It has 232 sanctioned posts, with 43 vacant, and generated Rs185 million in revenue, up from Rs48 million in FY2023–24 and Rs69 million in FY2022–23. A proposal for a Rs10 billion allocation for the next fiscal year is under consideration.
The committee recommended expanding cultural outreach, including workshops for artists, youth engagement, and better media coverage of national heritage events, including upcoming anniversaries of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal.
The National Language Promotion Department reported publishing over 700 books and training officials in Urdu correspondence, while members raised concerns over incorrect Urdu usage on highways and at airports.
The National Library of Pakistan briefed the committee on its operations, noting 87 sanctioned posts with 13 vacancies, an annual budget of Rs130 million (mostly salaries), and a collection of over 11,000 rare books and historical archives spanning 1966–2017.
