News Detail
Event Title: Senator Hidayatullah Khan, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament Lodges, Islamabad.
Event Date: 2026-09-10
Senate Heritage Committee Reviews Legal Framework for Protection of National Heritage Sites; Discuss Land Transfer Issue for National Museum Project
The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture was held under the chairmanship of Senator Hidayatullah Khan at the Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges, Islamabad, to further consider the starred question regarding existing laws and the legal framework for the protection and preservation of heritage sites in the country, and to receive a briefing on the construction of the National Museum of Pakistan at Shakarparian.
The meeting was attended by Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi, Senator Bushra Anjum Butt and Senator Rubina Khalid, while Senator Shahadat Awan attended as mover of the agenda item.
The committee expressed serious displeasure over the absence of senior officers of the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The Chairman directed that a letter be written to the Ministry of Interior conveying the committee’s displeasure over the absence of senior CDA officials. The committee stressed that parliamentary committees should not be undermined and directed relevant institutions to ensure the presence of senior officials in committee meetings.
The committee was briefed on the existing legal framework for the protection and preservation of heritage sites across the country. Senator Shahadat Awan, as mover of the agenda item, highlighted concerns regarding the Ranikot Fort, which is on UNESCO’s Tentative List but, according to him, has remained neglected by the Federal Government. He also pointed out that international organizations have shown interest in conserving the Great Wall of Sindh, commonly known as the Wall of Asia, but there is a lack of an effective coordination mechanism between the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture and the Government of Sindh.
The Secretary, Ministry of National Heritage and Culture, informed the committee that sites from Pakistan included on UNESCO’s World Heritage List are nominated following recommendations of the Federal Government. He stated that the Ministry has trained its officials in the preparation of nomination dossiers and has requested UNESCO to consider more than one dossier from Pakistan annually, despite the existing limitation of considering one dossier per country each year.
The committee was further informed that the Ministry had recently submitted dossiers relating to intangible heritage and cultural heritage to UNESCO and successfully secured the inscription of the traditional clay musical instrument “Borendo”. The Ministry also informed the committee that regular coordination and cooperation is maintained with provincial governments for the protection and preservation of heritage and archaeological sites under the Antiquities Act. It was stated that the Ministry is currently working to secure the inscription of Bhanbhore on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The committee was also briefed that, during this year’s Lok Virsa Mela, the Ministry plans to invite Cultural Ministers from all SCO member states. The committee was informed that Lahore has been declared the Cultural Capital of the SCO.
Chairman Committee Senator Hidayatullah Khan recommended inviting the Chief Ministers of all provinces, as well as the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan and the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, to the planned cultural Mela. He observed that heritage and culture transcend regional boundaries, bind the people of Pakistan together and promote harmony and unity.
The Chairman appreciated the efforts of the Ministry and directed it to provide details of coordination meetings held with provincial authorities during the last six months. He also directed the Ministry to furnish province-wise details of expenditure incurred on the protection and preservation of heritage sites.
The committee expressed concern over encroachments around protected heritage sites and urged the Ministry to ensure effective protection in accordance with the prescribed 200-foot buffer zone. The committee also sought a report regarding 523 priceless artefacts returned from the United States, including details of how the artefacts were illegally taken out of the country and the action taken in this regard.
The committee also took serious notice of the absence of the Chairman CDA while a matter of national importance was under discussion. Members emphasized that the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture should be accorded due priority, as heritage and culture can play a vital role in promoting national cohesion and harmony.
Regarding the construction of the National Museum of Pakistan at Shakarparian, the Chairman directed the CDA and the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture to resolve the outstanding issue of land transfer at the earliest as it is feared that US $6.790 million Korean Grant-in-aid would lapse if delays persist. The committee also recommended enhancing the budgetary allocation for the Ministry and suggested exploring innovative models of self-sufficiency through the promotion of heritage, cultural and archaeological tourism.
The committee also adopted the report of its sub-committee regarding the administrative issues and renovation of Mazar-e-Quaid, Karachi. Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi suggested conversion of the Radio Pakistan Karachi building into a cultural and heritage museum. The committee emphasized that the country’s national heritage must be protected and preserved as it represents Pakistan’s history, identity and cultural legacy.