Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture convened to scrutinize the legal framework for safeguarding national heritage sites and address the land transfer challenges facing the National Museum of Pakistan project. The session, chaired by Senator Hidayatullah Khan, highlighted concerns over the absence of senior Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials and emphasized the need for their engagement in such discussions.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the committee reviewed existing legal protections for heritage sites and was briefed on the efforts to nominate Pakistani sites for UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Senator Shahadat Awan expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s neglect of Ranikot Fort, a site on UNESCO’s Tentative List, and the lack of coordination between national and Sindh authorities regarding the conservation of the Great Wall of Sindh.
The Ministry of National Heritage and Culture outlined its ongoing initiatives, including the successful UNESCO inscription of the “Borendo” musical instrument and efforts to inscribe Bhanbhore. The Ministry is actively coordinating with provincial governments under the Antiquities Act to preserve archaeological sites.
During the committee meeting, plans to invite cultural ministers from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states to the annual Lok Virsa Mela were discussed, with Lahore being declared the Cultural Capital of the SCO. Chairman Khan suggested inviting provincial and regional leaders to the event, underscoring the unifying role of heritage and culture.
The committee directed the Ministry to report on coordination with provincial authorities and detail expenditures on heritage site preservation. Concerns about encroachments near protected sites were raised, with a call for adherence to the 200-foot buffer zone. Additionally, the committee sought a report on the return of 523 artefacts from the United States, emphasizing the need for accountability in their illegal removal.
The committee also addressed the construction of the National Museum of Pakistan, urging prompt resolution of land transfer issues to prevent the lapse of a $6.790 million Korean Grant-in-aid. Recommendations were made to increase the Ministry’s budget and explore tourism-based self-sufficiency models.
The committee approved a sub-committee report on Mazar-e-Quaid renovation issues and suggested converting the Radio Pakistan Karachi building into a cultural museum. The preservation of national heritage was emphasized as vital to maintaining Pakistan’s historical identity and cultural legacy.