Islamabad: A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture, chaired by Senator Hidayatullah Khan, convened at Parliament House to evaluate the performance and funding of key cultural institutions in Pakistan. The session included detailed briefings from the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), the National Library of Pakistan (NLP), and the National Language Promotion Department (NLPD), focusing on their roles in promoting regional culture, youth literary engagement, and national language promotion.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the Committee members, including Senators Rubina Khalid and Syed Waqar Mehdi, expressed concerns over the PNCA’s lack of representation in Peshawar and recommended engaging with provincial authorities to address the issue. Discussions also highlighted the need to diversify the PNCA’s Board of Governors and increase its Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) allocation, which currently stands at Rs. 9 million. The PNCA’s revenue generation and program activities were reviewed, with a noted increase in revenue from Rs. 48 million in FY 2023-24 to Rs. 185 million in FY 2024-25.

The National Language Promotion Department updated the Committee on its efforts to enhance Urdu’s usage and presence in official domains, alongside its budgetary allocations. Concerns over incorrect Urdu usage on public signages were addressed, with directives for corrective actions issued. The National Library of Pakistan’s performance was also reviewed, with recommendations to adjust registration fees and improve reader facilities.

The meeting underscored the importance of strengthening cultural institutions and enhancing national heritage and linguistic policies. Plans for nationwide celebrations of significant historical figures were discussed, with directives for inclusive and well-publicized cultural events across all provinces.